CarVerify

Free Car Check

R56 EBM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Feb 2027
Tests22 (19 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate86.4%

Mileage

92,221 mi
Last recorded92,221 miles
Recorded on6 Feb 2026
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
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR56 EBM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

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

19 pass 3 fail
Pass 6 Feb 2026 92,221 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Feb 2026 92,221 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Position lamp lens seriously defective (4.2.1 (b))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Jan 2025 88,432 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 27 Aug 2024 88,026 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

exhaust corroded

Pass 13 Jul 2023 85,045 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Pass 11 May 2021 84,891 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre worn to 3mm (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

all brake pipes coated in wax

Pass 18 Jun 2019 84,642 miles

Nearside Front tyre perished

Nearside Rear tyre valve perished

Offside Front Outer tyre side wall slight damage (been run flat)

Offside Rear tyre valve perished

slight corrosion to metal fuel pipes

Pass 20 Jun 2018 84,074 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn to 3mm

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Pass 16 Jun 2017 83,558 miles

Nearside Front tyre worn to 3mm and perished

Offside Front tyre damaged on sidewall (looks like it has been run flat)

slight corrosion to fuel pipes

Pass 24 Jun 2016 83,157 miles

Slight damage to offside front tyre side wall

Slight perishing to nearside front tyre

Pass 24 Jun 2015 82,640 miles

nearside rear tyre perished and cracking

nearside rear tyre valve perished and cracking

slight perishing to offside front and nearside front tyres

Pass 20 Jun 2014 82,078 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2013 81,241 miles
Pass 19 Jun 2012 80,689 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2012 80,689 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 22 Jun 2011 79,964 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2010 79,226 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2009 78,229 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2008 77,399 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2007 76,099 miles

Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 15 Jun 2006 71,563 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2006 71,563 miles

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R56 EBM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 86.4%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R56 EBM, 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 R56 EBM?

You can check the full history of R56 EBM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R56 EBM registered?

R56 EBM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 September 1997.

Is R56 EBM safe to buy?

The MOT history for R56 EBM shows 22 tests with a 86.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R56 EBM 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 R56 EBM. 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.