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R853 XFC

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 May 2027
Tests23 (21 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate91.3%

Mileage

18,463 mi
Last recorded18,463 miles
Recorded on7 May 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

RegistrationR853 XFC
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

21 pass 2 fail
Pass 7 May 2026 18,463 miles

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

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

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

Pass 19 Mar 2025 17,628 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2024 17,436 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2023 17,278 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2022 17,102 miles

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

Pass 2 Mar 2021 16,900 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre nail inner edge ()

Pass 13 Mar 2020 16,632 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Pass 11 Mar 2019 16,293 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2018 15,778 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2017 15,487 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2016 15,218 miles

Oil leak

Under trays fitted obscuring some components

Fail 25 Mar 2016 15,218 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Oil leak

Under trays fitted obscuring some components

Pass 13 Mar 2015 14,916 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2014 14,608 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2013 14,189 miles

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

Pass 17 Mar 2012 13,501 miles
Pass 15 Mar 2011 12,016 miles

offside wiper rubber split on end

Fail 16 Mar 2010 11,811 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 16 Mar 2010 11,811 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2009 10,669 miles

advise, handbrake travel

battery in low state of chrage

Pass 17 Dec 2007 9,868 miles
Pass 4 Jan 2007 8,142 miles
Pass 9 Jan 2006 5,787 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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R853 XFC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 91.3%.

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 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 R853 XFC, 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 R853 XFC?

You can check the full history of R853 XFC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R853 XFC registered?

R853 XFC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 December 1997.

Is R853 XFC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R853 XFC shows 23 tests with a 91.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R853 XFC 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 R853 XFC. 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.