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R97 DGD

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Apr 2026
Tests22 (16 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate72.7%

Mileage

74,592 mi
Last recorded74,592 miles
Recorded on23 Apr 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR97 DGD
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
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

16 pass 6 fail
Pass 23 Apr 2025 74,592 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn down to 3 mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Fail 11 Apr 2025 74,426 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn down to 3 mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Pass 18 Apr 2024 68,595 miles
Fail 17 Apr 2024 68,591 miles

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 7 Mar 2024 68,578 miles

Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions n/s/f o/s/f incorrect rotation (5.2.3 (i))

Headlamp aim too low n/s/f o/s/f cant adjust (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

n/s seat has been removed

Pass 7 Mar 2023 61,997 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Fail 7 Mar 2023 61,997 miles

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps both (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Pass 17 Feb 2022 57,694 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2017 56,659 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2016 55,883 miles
Pass 22 Jul 2015 54,915 miles

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Pass 23 Jul 2014 54,400 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2013 51,125 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 8 Jul 2013 51,125 miles
Pass 16 Jul 2012 49,431 miles

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

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

Offside Front 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)

n/s rear mud flap insecure

wiper fouling body O/s

Pass 25 Jul 2011 46,951 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2010 44,070 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2009 42,124 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2008 38,490 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Pass 14 Jul 2008 38,490 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2007 36,795 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 29 Jul 2006 34,280 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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R97 DGD is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.7%.

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 R97 DGD, 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 R97 DGD?

You can check the full history of R97 DGD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R97 DGD registered?

R97 DGD is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 2 August 1997.

Is R97 DGD safe to buy?

The MOT history for R97 DGD shows 22 tests with a 72.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R97 DGD 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 R97 DGD. 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.