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R948 WBW

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 May 2026
Tests23 (16 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate69.6%

Mileage

111,463 mi
Last recorded111,463 miles
Recorded on13 May 2025
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

RegistrationR948 WBW
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

16 pass 7 fail
Pass 13 May 2025 111,463 miles

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch all 4 wheels ()

Pass 1 May 2024 111,241 miles

Sill covers fitted not allowing full inspection

Pass 4 May 2023 110,607 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Sill covers fitted not allowing full inspection

Slight oil leak

Vehicle modified for track use

Pass 8 Mar 2022 109,620 miles

Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated BOTH SIDES , upper (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge BOTH SIDES , very worn on inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play BOTH SIDES (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on inner edge and getting low (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak

Rear Suspension subframe corroding

Underneath vehicle corroding

Vehicle modified for track use

Pass 9 Mar 2021 108,714 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ALL FOUR WHEELS AND TYRES ()

Fail 26 Feb 2021 108,702 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively stretched ON full lock (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has an unsafe modification (5.3.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively stretched ON full lock (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

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

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has an unsafe modification (5.3.3 (c) (i))

Parking brake lever pivot worn to the extent that the brake may inadvertently release (1.1.6 (b) (ii))

Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting insecure Rear diff mount (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ALL FOUR WHEELS AND TYRES ()

Pass 25 Jun 2019 107,211 miles
Fail 5 Apr 2017 107,204 miles

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

Offside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded offside front inner sill (5.2.6)

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded nearside and offside rear inner sills (2.4.A.3)

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded nearside and offside rear outer sills (2.4.A.3)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive nearside front inner sill (5.2.6)

centre exhaust has a minor leak

centre exhaust has a minor leak

engine has signs of an oil leak

nearside front and rear wheel arches corroded

vehicle underbody corroded

Pass 29 Sep 2015 103,651 miles
Pass 13 Sep 2014 100,625 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2013 99,625 miles

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

Fail 9 Sep 2013 99,625 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 25 Sep 2012 98,460 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2011 96,519 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2011 95,768 miles

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Pass 23 Sep 2010 93,995 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2009 87,018 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2009 87,018 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 18 Sep 2008 80,653 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2008 80,653 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

corrosion to underneath of vehicle

long parking brake travel

offside rear tyre on 3mm

oil leak

Pass 21 Sep 2007 72,148 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2006 63,966 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2006 63,966 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

both outer sills,rear subframe and rear discs all corroding

steering heavy?

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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R948 WBW is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.6%.

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 R948 WBW, 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 R948 WBW?

You can check the full history of R948 WBW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R948 WBW registered?

R948 WBW is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 October 1997.

Is R948 WBW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R948 WBW shows 23 tests with a 69.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R948 WBW 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 R948 WBW. 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.