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R976 TBP

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Feb 2026
Tests19 (14 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate73.7%

Mileage

128,680 mi
Last recorded128,680 miles
Recorded on13 Feb 2025
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

RegistrationR976 TBP
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

14 pass 5 fail
Pass 13 Feb 2025 128,680 miles

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 21 Nov 2024 128,576 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Floor (front and rear) (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

Offside Oil leak, but not excessive Diff seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

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

Pass 22 Jul 2023 112,973 miles

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

Pass 2 Mar 2018 111,138 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2017 101,686 miles

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

slight corrosion front discs - inner

Pass 13 Feb 2016 101,062 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 18 Feb 2015 98,678 miles
Pass 25 Feb 2014 96,814 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

both os and ns front tyre walls starting to crack and perish

Pass 2 Mar 2013 91,688 miles

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

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

wiper blades deteriorated

Pass 22 Jul 2011 91,065 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2010 91,420 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2010 91,420 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Pass 3 Jul 2009 90,603 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2009 90,603 miles

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 27 Jun 2008 89,280 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2007 87,421 miles
Fail 13 Jul 2007 87,342 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2006 84,518 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2006 84,463 miles

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

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 TBP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.7%.

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 R976 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 R976 TBP?

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

What year was R976 TBP registered?

R976 TBP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 6 October 1997.

Is R976 TBP safe to buy?

The MOT history for R976 TBP shows 19 tests with a 73.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R976 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 R976 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.