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R785 TBM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Apr 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

118,868 mi
Last recorded118,868 miles
Recorded on14 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR785 TBM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 14 Apr 2026 118,868 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn all bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

inner sills corroding

Pass 16 Apr 2025 118,229 miles

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

Nearside Front corrosion/holed

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

Nearside bottom coolant hose corroded

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

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective tips splitting (3.4 (b) (i))

cooling system getting very hot/trying to boil but temp gauge reading normal and cooling fan not running

general corrosion to underside components

general perishing/splitting of suspension bushes

Pass 13 Mar 2024 117,459 miles

Nearside Front small hole in floor outside of any prescribed areas

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

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

all suspension bushes deteriorated but no movement

general age related corrosion to suspension components

lower coolant pipe corroded

Fail 23 Feb 2024 117,454 miles

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside floor/ inner sill corroded and small hole

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipe that feeds the nearside rear (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear shock absorber dust covers split/perished

general age related perishing/splitting to suspension bushes/dust covers

general corrosion to underside components

lower metal coolant hose corroded

Pass 22 Feb 2023 116,342 miles
Pass 11 Jan 2022 114,343 miles

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 3 Feb 2021 113,917 miles
Fail 14 Jan 2021 113,874 miles

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

Coolant leak radiator area ()

Pass 8 Jan 2020 112,933 miles

Nearside Rear Inner arch hole

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Inner arch hole

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

Pass 23 Jan 2019 111,909 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Inner arch corroded

Pass 29 Dec 2017 111,487 miles

Offside Rear Inner arch corroded

Pass 24 Jan 2017 110,798 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 4 Aug 2015 110,138 miles

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

oil leak noted.

Pass 28 Jul 2014 106,516 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2013 104,294 miles

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Fail 5 Aug 2013 104,288 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Pass 10 Aug 2012 100,882 miles

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

Fail 6 Aug 2012 100,876 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Aug 2011 95,872 miles

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

Fail 3 Aug 2011 95,866 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Jul 2010 90,849 miles

damage to nearside front wing

Fail 21 Jul 2010 90,839 miles

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

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

damage to nearside front wing

deterioration to rear brake discs

Pass 13 Jul 2009 86,262 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

corrosion to offside outer sill.

deterioration of both rear brake discs.

rear brake disc pads - wear appear low.

rusted front & rear suspension components.

Pass 28 Jul 2008 82,810 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2008 82,810 miles

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 26 Jul 2007 79,452 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2006 75,259 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 brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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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R785 TBM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 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 R785 TBM, 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 R785 TBM?

You can check the full history of R785 TBM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R785 TBM registered?

R785 TBM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R785 TBM safe to buy?

The MOT history for R785 TBM shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R785 TBM 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 R785 TBM. 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.