CarVerify

Free Car Check

R916 AWO

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jul 2027
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

121,795 mi
Last recorded121,795 miles
Recorded on1 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR916 AWO
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

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

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 1 Jul 2026 121,795 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2026 121,782 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Inner Vehicle structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Jul 2025 121,365 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2023 121,159 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2022 120,431 miles

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

under side of vehicle and several suspension components rusty

Fail 27 Jun 2022 120,431 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

under side of vehicle and several suspension components rusty

Fail 18 May 2022 120,423 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front > rear (1.1.11 (c))

Electrical wiring insecure and connectors likely to become disconnected postive terminal (4.11 (a) (ii))

Headlamp aim too low both front (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Central Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

undersdie of vehicle & several suspension componets rusty

Pass 19 Jul 2019 119,858 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

underside of vehicle rusty in several places

Pass 9 Jul 2018 119,331 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

near side front anti roll bar drop link bushes worn

several suspension bushes perished

under side rusty

Fail 2 Jul 2018 119,331 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced dip and main (4.1.4 (a))

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

near side front anti roll bar drop link bushes worn

several suspension bushes perished

under side rusty

Pass 13 Jul 2017 122,981 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Outer Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside chassis damaged

surface corrosion on all brake disc inner surfaces

Fail 29 Jun 2017 122,939 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on not working (8.2.1b)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Outer Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside chassis damaged

surface corrosion on all brake disc inner surfaces

Pass 9 Jul 2016 122,518 miles

lower sills rusty

near side rear tyre side wall damage slight

rear discs corroded

Pass 15 Aug 2014 121,985 miles

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

handbrake travel long

o/s/f tyre perishing

Fail 14 Aug 2014

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

handbrake travel long

o/s/f tyre perishing

Pass 30 Jul 2013 121,290 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2012 120,199 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2012 120,199 miles

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Fail 16 Jul 2011 120,175 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

n/s/f brake binding slightly

surface corrosion to vehicle under side in several places

Pass 16 Jul 2011 120,175 miles

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

n/s/f brake binding slightly

surface corrosion to vehicle under side in several places

Pass 9 Apr 2010 119,685 miles

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

clutch slave cylinder leaking

Pass 25 Apr 2009 118,422 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2008 116,657 miles

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

Front Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Pass 24 Apr 2007 114,267 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 24 Apr 2007 114,267 miles

Centre Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 14 Mar 2006 97,750 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2006 97,750 miles

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

o/s/r outer sill corroded.

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R916 AWO is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 R916 AWO, 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 R916 AWO?

You can check the full history of R916 AWO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R916 AWO registered?

R916 AWO is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 10 October 1997.

Is R916 AWO safe to buy?

The MOT history for R916 AWO shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R916 AWO 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 R916 AWO. 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.