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R961 TKY

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 Mar 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

85,410 mi
Last recorded85,410 miles
Recorded on1 Apr 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

RegistrationR961 TKY
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 1 Apr 2026 85,410 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 25 Sep 2024 84,181 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2023 83,929 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2023 83,916 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 21 Sep 2022 82,957 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2021 82,170 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2020 81,545 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2020 81,452 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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Pass 23 Sep 2019 80,953 miles
Pass 11 Oct 2018 79,741 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 10 Oct 2017 78,132 miles
Pass 25 Oct 2016 77,004 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2015 76,749 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2014 76,031 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2014 76,031 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Offside Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only (3.1.2)

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

Pass 22 Oct 2013 75,427 miles
Fail 22 Oct 2013 75,425 miles

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

Pass 22 Oct 2012 74,663 miles
Fail 22 Oct 2012 74,663 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 10 Oct 2011 73,942 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2010 72,032 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Sep 2009 70,252 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2009 70,252 miles

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

Offside Rear brake disc has restricted free movement (3.5.1j)

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 6 Oct 2008 67,437 miles
Pass 9 Oct 2007 62,735 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 4 Oct 2007 62,722 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 18 Aug 2006 57,955 miles
Fail 18 Aug 2006 57,955 miles

Nearside Front front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Pass 19 Aug 2005 52,283 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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R961 TKY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 R961 TKY, 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 R961 TKY?

You can check the full history of R961 TKY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R961 TKY registered?

R961 TKY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 29 August 1997.

Is R961 TKY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R961 TKY shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R961 TKY 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 R961 TKY. 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.