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R976 GSC

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Aug 2026
Tests8 (5 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

53,840 mi
Last recorded53,840 miles
Recorded on8 Aug 2025
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

RegistrationR976 GSC
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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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

5 pass 3 fail
Pass 8 Aug 2025 53,840 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Fail 5 Aug 2025 53,840 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jul 2024 51,846 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Fail 12 Jul 2024 51,487 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 31 Jul 2023 49,228 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2022 47,851 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2020 46,986 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2020 46,986 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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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R976 GSC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 8 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 R976 GSC, 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 R976 GSC?

You can check the full history of R976 GSC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R976 GSC registered?

R976 GSC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 28 November 1997.

Is R976 GSC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R976 GSC shows 8 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R976 GSC 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 R976 GSC. 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.