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R557 BGY

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Sep 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

85,084 mi
Last recorded85,084 miles
Recorded on19 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR557 BGY
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc
View full Mazda MX-5 reliability data Browse other 1997 Mazda MX-5 registrations

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 19 Sep 2025 85,084 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all brake hoses on each corner (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Coil spring corroded Both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 17 Sep 2024 83,932 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened both front (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened both rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both front (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pad(s) wearing thin both rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 17 Sep 2024 83,932 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm insecurely attached nut missing bolt is almost out (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened both front (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened both rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both front (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pad(s) wearing thin both rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 22 Sep 2023 82,153 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2023 82,146 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Aug 2022 81,983 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2021 81,548 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2021 81,540 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2020 80,690 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2020 80,682 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded rear of front to rear steel pipe (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Pass 20 Aug 2019 80,440 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s mid/rear line (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rears (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 9 Aug 2019 80,191 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s mid/rear line (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rears (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Aug 2018 79,542 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2017 78,683 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2016 77,341 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2015 71,857 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

front and rear suspension fittings and subframes very corroded

Pass 11 Aug 2015 71,857 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

front and rear suspension fittings and subframes very corroded

Pass 25 Jun 2014 65,303 miles

Offside Outer Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Pass 26 Jun 2013 63,746 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 31 May 2012 61,719 miles
Fail 18 May 2012 61,563 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Pass 3 May 2011 59,723 miles

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Pass 21 May 2010 58,626 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 20 May 2010 58,619 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 15 May 2009 57,318 miles
Fail 14 May 2009 57,300 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 17 Apr 2008 56,201 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 13 Dec 2006 53,746 miles
Pass 1 Dec 2005 51,599 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

How Reliable is the Mazda MX-5?

Based on 2,502,760 MOT tests across 160,823 vehicles.

76.5%
Pass Rate
2,964
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
160,823
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 44,475
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 41,962
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 35,980
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 33,281
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 32,722
Full Mazda MX-5 reliability report

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R557 BGY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

Across all 1997 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.7% with a typical mileage of 85,711 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mazda MX-5 fails its MOT is seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 44,475 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R557 BGY, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mazda MX-5 typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 29 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R557 BGY?

You can check the full history of R557 BGY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R557 BGY registered?

R557 BGY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 30 October 1997.

Is R557 BGY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R557 BGY shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R557 BGY have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R557 BGY. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.