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R72 VBU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Jan 2024
Tests22 (13 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate59.1%

Mileage

109,423 mi
Last recorded109,423 miles
Recorded on18 Jan 2023
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR72 VBU
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

13 pass 9 fail
Pass 18 Jan 2023 109,423 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 10 Jan 2022 109,223 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Fail 8 Jan 2022 109,219 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Pass 19 Jan 2021 108,732 miles

under body has underseal shultz reducing visabilty

Pass 11 Feb 2016 107,099 miles
Fail 9 Feb 2016 107,098 miles

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

Nearside Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Pass 21 Feb 2015 103,596 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2015 103,576 miles

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

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 24 Oct 2013 100,350 miles

corrosion on front and rear suspension

Pass 24 Oct 2012 98,294 miles

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 24 Oct 2012 98,294 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 16 Nov 2011 88,784 miles
Fail 15 Nov 2011 88,782 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Fail 26 Oct 2011 88,647 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

Oil leak

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

fan belt loose

Pass 8 Nov 2010 84,301 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2010 84,301 miles

Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

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

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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)

front number plate slightly faded

rear offside brake disc heavily pitted

Pass 12 Nov 2009 79,116 miles

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

front num plate starting to fade

n/s mirror missing

rust on o/s/r sill

Fail 3 Nov 2009 79,065 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

front num plate starting to fade

n/s mirror missing

rust on o/s/r sill

Pass 24 Oct 2008 73,460 miles
Fail 21 Oct 2008 73,355 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

Pass 11 May 2007
Pass 3 May 2006 60,475 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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R72 VBU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.1%.

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 R72 VBU, 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 R72 VBU?

You can check the full history of R72 VBU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R72 VBU registered?

R72 VBU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 15 August 1997.

Is R72 VBU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R72 VBU shows 22 tests with a 59.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R72 VBU 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 R72 VBU. 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.