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R999 SMJ

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Jun 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

107,441 mi
Last recorded107,441 miles
Recorded on4 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR999 SMJ
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 4 Jun 2026 107,441 miles

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

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

Fail 1 Jun 2026 107,435 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 19 May 2025 103,406 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 24 May 2024 101,777 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2023 99,807 miles

movement in steering column

Fail 9 Jun 2023 99,807 miles

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both front (3.4 (b) (ii))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

movement in steering column

Pass 25 May 2022 98,669 miles

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both rear inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 25 May 2022 98,668 miles

Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

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

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

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both rear inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

offside rear brake pads overheated

Pass 19 May 2021 94,717 miles
Fail 17 May 2021 94,716 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

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

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

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both lower rear suspension arms outer rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2020 93,060 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2019 91,786 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2018 91,289 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2018 91,289 miles

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Jul 2017 89,892 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2016 87,004 miles
Pass 8 Jul 2015 80,573 miles

Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 8 Jul 2015 80,573 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 2 Jul 2014 79,910 miles

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

Pass 19 Jul 2013 79,778 miles
Pass 24 May 2012 79,704 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2011 79,311 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Pass 2 Jun 2011 79,311 miles

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

Pass 9 Jun 2010 79,046 miles

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

Pass 2 Jun 2009 78,606 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2008 77,849 miles
Pass 21 Apr 2007 77,272 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2005 76,500 miles

Nearside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

Offside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Fail 16 Sep 2005 76,500 miles

Nearside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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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R999 SMJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 R999 SMJ, 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 R999 SMJ?

You can check the full history of R999 SMJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R999 SMJ registered?

R999 SMJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R999 SMJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R999 SMJ shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R999 SMJ 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 R999 SMJ. 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.