CarVerify

Free Car Check

R963 JBA

1997 Mazda MX5

Green Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Sep 2026
Tests13 (10 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate76.9%

Mileage

167,609 mi
Last recorded167,609 miles
Recorded on29 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX5113,018 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

RegistrationR963 JBA
MakeMazda
ModelMX5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

10 pass 3 fail
Pass 29 Sep 2025 167,609 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Sep 2024 167,063 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2023 166,282 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2022 165,099 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2022 165,058 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 27 Aug 2021 163,992 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 11 Aug 2020 162,915 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2019 161,967 miles
Pass 19 Apr 2018 160,308 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2017 155,573 miles
Fail 2 Mar 2017 155,549 miles

Central Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 4 Feb 2016 148,513 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 Jan 2016 148,513 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

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

How Reliable is the Mazda MX5?

Based on 3,499 MOT tests across 291 vehicles.

75.6%
Pass Rate
2,660
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
291
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 64
fog lamp not working 61
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 61
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 54
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 49
Full Mazda MX5 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

R963 JBA is a 1997 Mazda MX5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 13 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.9%.

Across all 1997 Mazda MX5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.4% with a typical mileage of 113,018 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mazda MX5 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 64 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R963 JBA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mazda MX5 typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 29 years old, this Mazda MX5 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R963 JBA?

You can check the full history of R963 JBA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R963 JBA registered?

R963 JBA is a 1997 Mazda MX5, first registered on 1 September 1997.

Is R963 JBA safe to buy?

The MOT history for R963 JBA shows 13 tests with a 76.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R963 JBA 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 R963 JBA. 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.