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R831 CNY

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

91,223 mi
Last recorded91,223 miles
Recorded on18 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR831 CNY
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 18 Mar 2026 91,223 miles

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

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

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

Fail 17 Mar 2026 91,222 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Mar 2025 91,147 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

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

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

Fail 17 Mar 2025 91,140 miles

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper insecurely mounted carrier loose (1.1.16 (c) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

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

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

Pass 12 Mar 2024 91,093 miles

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

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

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Apr 2023 90,680 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2023 90,678 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))

Nearside Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Apr 2022 90,545 miles

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

Fail 5 Apr 2022 90,542 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 Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Pass 4 Sep 2019 90,400 miles

Nearside Rear light lens deteriorated

Fail 28 Aug 2019 90,381 miles

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear light lens deteriorated

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. nearside weak (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Aug 2018 90,004 miles
Pass 30 Aug 2017 89,899 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2016 89,647 miles

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

Offside Front tyre perished

Fail 14 Sep 2016 89,633 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front TRE PERISHING ON OUTER SIDEWALL

Pass 17 Sep 2015 89,469 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 35% (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight damage x2 chassis rails/supports crushed (6.1.A.1)

Pass 13 Sep 2014 88,573 miles

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

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

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

Fail 12 Sep 2014 88,572 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Sep 2013 85,582 miles

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Fail 19 Sep 2013 85,582 miles

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 5 Oct 2012 83,896 miles

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

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

all rear suspension components corroded

rear sills corroded but not holed

Fail 4 Oct 2012 83,872 miles

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

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

rear sills corroded but not holed

Nearside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

all rear suspension components corroded

Pass 29 Sep 2011 80,829 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2011 80,829 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 5 Oct 2010 76,879 miles

front & rear subframes & coil springs & main at rear brake pipe corroded

Pass 2 Oct 2009 72,900 miles
Fail 30 Sep 2009 72,889 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Oct 2008 69,276 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2007 67,550 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2007 67,459 miles

Front registration plate faded (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 28 Sep 2006 61,829 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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R831 CNY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 R831 CNY, 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 R831 CNY?

You can check the full history of R831 CNY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R831 CNY registered?

R831 CNY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 16 October 1997.

Is R831 CNY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R831 CNY shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R831 CNY 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 R831 CNY. 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.