CarVerify

Free Car Check

R609 MLJ

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1840cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Jun 2027
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

156,438 mi
Last recorded156,438 miles
Recorded on5 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR609 MLJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 5 Jun 2026 156,438 miles
Fail 26 May 2026 156,391 miles
Pass 4 Nov 2024 155,154 miles
Fail 18 Jan 2023 155,151 miles

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

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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 Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 13 Jan 2022 154,425 miles
Fail 10 Jan 2022 154,372 miles

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.1.1 (a))

Pass 11 Jan 2021 153,019 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2019 150,322 miles
Fail 24 Jun 2019 150,090 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view scratched (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Jun 2018 147,599 miles

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Jun 2017 146,539 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and all suspension arms (2.4.G.1)

Oil leak on engine and gearbox

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and all suspension arms (2.4.G.1)

Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement inner and outer bushes both sides (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Jun 2017 146,539 miles

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings inner sill to floor pan holed (6.1.B.2)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and all suspension arms (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and all suspension arms (2.4.G.1)

Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement inner and outer bushes both sides (2.4.G.2)

Pass 1 Jul 2016 145,677 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2016 145,672 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases silencer (7.1.2)

Pass 17 Jun 2015 144,687 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 8 Apr 2014 138,504 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 7 Apr 2014 138,504 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Outer Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 19 Apr 2013 133,372 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2013 133,369 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Offside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Pass 24 Oct 2011 124,259 miles

tax disc expired

Fail 22 Oct 2011 124,258 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

tax disc expired

Pass 6 Apr 2010 102,866 miles

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

Fail 31 Mar 2010 102,864 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

Pass 25 Mar 2009 97,366 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 20 Mar 2008 92,472 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 5 Apr 2007 86,614 miles
Fail 5 Apr 2007 86,614 miles

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

Pass 7 Apr 2006 79,454 miles

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

R609 MLJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 R609 MLJ, 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 R609 MLJ?

You can check the full history of R609 MLJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R609 MLJ registered?

R609 MLJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 9 December 1997.

Is R609 MLJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R609 MLJ shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R609 MLJ 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 R609 MLJ. 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.