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R970 TBP

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Jan 2022
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

126,682 mi
Last recorded126,682 miles
Recorded on19 Apr 2024
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR970 TBP
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

14 pass 10 fail
Fail 19 Apr 2024 126,682 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak At manifold (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced mid inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (4.5.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Fail 3 Mar 2023 126,669 miles

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced centre floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material of main (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 19 Jan 2021 118,906 miles

Adv that nearside front brake is checked with wheel removed

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 6 Jan 2021 118,906 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit clamp insecure and terminals loose (4.13 (a) (ii))

Central Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre and rear joints (bolts missing) (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment no reserve travel (1.1.6 (c))

Steering system excessively rough faulty ,excessively stiff to turn (2.1.1 (a))

Adv that nearside front brake is checked with wheel removed

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Jul 2019 110,226 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2019 110,226 miles

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

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 20 Jun 2018 102,433 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2018 102,432 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 4 May 2017 92,624 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2016 91,873 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2016 91,870 miles

Nearside Parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.D.3a)

Pass 25 Mar 2015 90,376 miles
Fail 25 Mar 2015 90,373 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Pass 13 Mar 2014 87,583 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2013 85,599 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2013 85,599 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Pass 29 Feb 2012 82,999 miles
Pass 17 Feb 2011 76,597 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2010 68,383 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 16 Feb 2010 68,383 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2009 62,997 miles

maximum permissable damage to windscreen at time of test

offside front tyre poor condition

Pass 13 Feb 2008 62,238 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

both front tyres perished and in very poor condition

deep cut in offside front outer tyre wall

Fail 11 Feb 2008 62,206 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

both front tyres perished and in very poor condition

deep cut in offside front outer tyre wall

Pass 6 Feb 2007 59,965 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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R970 TBP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

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 R970 TBP, 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 R970 TBP?

You can check the full history of R970 TBP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R970 TBP registered?

R970 TBP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R970 TBP safe to buy?

The MOT history for R970 TBP shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R970 TBP 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 R970 TBP. 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.