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R802 ATU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Mar 2027
Tests18 (13 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate72.2%

Mileage

94,851 mi
Last recorded94,851 miles
Recorded on6 Mar 2026
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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR802 ATU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

13 pass 5 fail
Pass 6 Mar 2026 94,851 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 7 Jan 2025 94,823 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2024 94,760 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 14 Jan 2023 94,343 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Slight serface corrosion ()

Fail 14 Jan 2023 94,343 miles

Nearside Steering locking device missing Track rod end (2.1.3 (d))

Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture Front to rear (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Slight serface corrosion ()

Fail 7 Jun 2022 94,322 miles

Nearside Front Lower Steering locking device missing track rod end (2.1.3 (d))

Nearside Front Upper Steering locking device missing ball joint upper (2.1.3 (d))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced central (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords damaged (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front door mirror missing... but both other obligatory mirrors present

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

Offside fuel lines corroded

Pass 15 Jun 2021 90,396 miles

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Mirror is missing

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))

Offside Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Offside Registration plate lamp insecure (4.7.1 (c) (i))

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All of them (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 9 Jun 2021 90,382 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Mirror is missing

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))

Offside Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Offside Registration plate lamp insecure (4.7.1 (c) (i))

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All of them (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Feb 2020 86,908 miles

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All of them (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 17 Feb 2020 86,902 miles

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

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

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Rear fog lamp likely to become detached (4.5.1 (c) (ii))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively Both (3.4 (b) (ii))

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All of them (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Apr 2018 86,826 miles

both front shocker covers deteriorated

general corrosion front and rear suspension areas

main brake pipes and fuel pipes corroding in clips

rear exhaust slightly insecure and fouling suspension and body

Pass 2 Feb 2015 84,313 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

light corrosion to front and rear suspension areas

Fail 26 Jan 2015 84,293 miles

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

light corrosion to front and rear suspension areas

Pass 18 Jul 2013 75,791 miles

Nearside Outer Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Outer Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 6 Jul 2012 70,881 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jun 2008 70,787 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2007 68,367 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2006 65,115 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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R802 ATU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.2%.

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 R802 ATU, 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 R802 ATU?

You can check the full history of R802 ATU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R802 ATU registered?

R802 ATU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R802 ATU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R802 ATU shows 18 tests with a 72.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R802 ATU 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 R802 ATU. 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.