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R98 SKX

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Jul 2027
Tests24 (20 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate83.3%

Mileage

174,798 mi
Last recorded174,798 miles
Recorded on30 Jun 2026
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

RegistrationR98 SKX
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 4 fail
Pass 30 Jun 2026 174,798 miles

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 25 Jun 2025 170,558 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2024 167,267 miles

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

Pass 21 Jun 2023 161,874 miles

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

Pass 23 Jun 2022 157,627 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2021 152,446 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2020 148,210 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2019 143,615 miles

Both outer sills corroded slightly.

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated All front (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both front (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 21 Jun 2018 138,856 miles

All steering and suspension ball joint dirt covers deteriorated.

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 28 Jun 2017 132,943 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2016 125,743 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2015 120,354 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2015 120,345 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Pass 22 Jul 2014 112,195 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2012 110,318 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 6 Jun 2012 110,318 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 15 Apr 2011 107,119 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

front brake discs worn

Pass 12 Jun 2009 99,604 miles

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

Pass 13 May 2008 89,525 miles
Pass 3 May 2007 82,277 miles

advisories as per test number †552023227189

Fail 3 May 2007 82,277 miles

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Rear sills weak. Will require welding next years mot

Pass 9 May 2006 74,077 miles
Pass 3 Feb 2006 72,273 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2006 73,273 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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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R98 SKX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 83.3%.

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 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 R98 SKX, 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 R98 SKX?

You can check the full history of R98 SKX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R98 SKX registered?

R98 SKX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 October 1997.

Is R98 SKX safe to buy?

The MOT history for R98 SKX shows 24 tests with a 83.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R98 SKX 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 R98 SKX. 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.