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R639 GBV

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Apr 2027
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

123,878 mi
Last recorded123,878 miles
Recorded on30 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR639 GBV
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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 10 fail
Pass 30 Apr 2026 123,878 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

general under body corrosion

steerting gaitor insecure

Fail 31 Mar 2026 123,775 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play lock nut loose (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

general under body corrosion

oil level very low

steering column gaitor insecure

Pass 4 Apr 2025 116,622 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2023 115,931 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement n/s and o/s front and rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule n/s o/s rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material n/s o/s front (1.1.11 (c))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Dec 2023 115,917 miles

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

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement n/s and o/s front and rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule n/s o/s rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material n/s o/s front (1.1.11 (c))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Jun 2021 115,636 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

Fail 23 Nov 2020 115,636 miles

Brake performance not tested due to fluid leak at rear (1.2.1 (g))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner and outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture leaking fluid and badly corroded (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material brake pipes on each side at rubber hoses corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both front tyres wearing on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Pass 3 May 2019 115,386 miles

Offside Rear Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

corrosion to all suspension parts anti roll bars,links lower arms brake pipes,fuel pipes and under side of vehicle.

front and rear anti roll bar link bushes worn and cracking.

nail in off side front tyre tread.

oil leaks.

Fail 2 May 2019 115,384 miles

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

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

corrosion to all suspension parts anti roll bars,links lower arms brake pipes,fuel pipes and under side of vehicle.

front and rear anti roll bar link bushes worn and cracking.

nail in off side front tyre tread.

oil leaks.

Pass 7 Nov 2017 111,753 miles

front brake bind

Fail 3 Nov 2017 111,753 miles

Registration plate lamp not working NS + OS dim (1.1.C.1d)

Tyre has ply or cords exposed NSR tyre wall cut (4.1.D.1b)

coil spring broken NSR (2.4.C.1a)

rear brake binding NSR (3.7.B.1)

rear brake recording little or no effort NS handbrake low (3.7.B.5a)

front brake bind

Pass 15 Jun 2016 108,428 miles
Pass 27 May 2015 106,434 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak

Pass 14 Mar 2014 102,910 miles

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

slight corrosion on o/s/r outer sill

Pass 26 Jun 2013 100,002 miles

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

Oil leak

o/s/f brake binding slightly

o/s/f side light lens damaged

Pass 28 Jun 2012 96,869 miles

Oil leak

Fail 21 Jun 2012 96,865 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear rear brake juddering severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Oil leak

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

o/s/r brake disc corroded

Pass 20 Jun 2011 91,980 miles

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

Fail 16 Jun 2011 91,975 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 4 May 2010 86,395 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 3 Apr 2009 80,487 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 3 Apr 2009 80,487 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2008 73,140 miles
Fail 26 Mar 2008 73,121 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Pass 4 Apr 2007 67,096 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2007 67,096 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 31 Mar 2006 62,096 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

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R639 GBV is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 R639 GBV, 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 R639 GBV?

You can check the full history of R639 GBV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R639 GBV registered?

R639 GBV is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 14 August 1997.

Is R639 GBV safe to buy?

The MOT history for R639 GBV shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R639 GBV 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 R639 GBV. 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.