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R870 FMJ

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Jul 2027
Tests22 (21 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate95.5%

Mileage

24,855 mi
Last recorded24,855 miles
Recorded on30 Jul 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

RegistrationR870 FMJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

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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 1 fail
Pass 30 Jul 2026 24,855 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2025 24,582 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2023 24,557 miles
Pass 9 Dec 2022 24,537 miles

Surface corrosion on braking and suspension components

Pass 8 Dec 2021 24,529 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2020 24,528 miles
Pass 9 Dec 2019 24,521 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2018 24,519 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2017 24,502 miles
Pass 3 Dec 2016 24,474 miles
Pass 5 Dec 2015 24,418 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2014 24,372 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2013 24,308 miles
Pass 3 Dec 2012 24,231 miles
Pass 9 Dec 2011 23,663 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2010 22,640 miles
Pass 20 Nov 2009 21,252 miles
Fail 1 Dec 2008 19,523 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 1 Dec 2008 19,523 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2007 18,617 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2006 18,026 miles

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

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

advised both front tyres show wear

Pass 8 Dec 2005 16,219 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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R870 FMJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 95.5%.

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 R870 FMJ, 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 R870 FMJ?

You can check the full history of R870 FMJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R870 FMJ registered?

R870 FMJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 10 December 1997.

Is R870 FMJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R870 FMJ shows 22 tests with a 95.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R870 FMJ 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 R870 FMJ. 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.