1997 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · M5 XRX
1997 Mazda MX-5 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 14 May 1997. Recorded mileage 64,976 miles. MOT expired on 19 Sept 2026.
- Make & Model
- MAZDA MX-5
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Manchester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 19 Sept 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 64,976 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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M5 XRX Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 16/09/2025
- 64,976 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
M5 XRX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Mazda Mx-5 (M5 XRX) between September 2022 and September 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
M5 XRX Mileage History
- 13/09/202262,852 mi
- 18/09/202363,529 mi+677 mi
- 20/09/202464,348 mi+819 mi
- 16/09/202564,976 mi+628 mi
Average of roughly 706 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
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Known faults for Mazda Mazda MX-5 (NA, late UK cars)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
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MAZDA MX-5 Model Intelligence & Reliability
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Rear Sill and Inner Arch RustSerious
Late NA shells commonly rot around the rear sill sections ahead of the back wheels, often from the inside out after years of damp and blocked drains.
- Hood Drain and Rain-Rail Water IngressModerate
Blocked drains or an ageing rain rail let water into the cabin and rear cavities, accelerating sill corrosion and leaving carpets damp.
- Clutch Slave Cylinder Hydraulic Fluid Leakage and Pedal FailureModerate
Late Mk1 MX-5 models frequently suffer clutch hydraulic failures due to internal seal degradation and cylinder bore corrosion in the clutch slave cylinder, which is mounted low on the side of the transmission bellhousing exposed to UK road splash. Leaking hydraulic fluid causes a spongy clutch pedal that progressively loses resistance, drops to the floor and fails to disengage the clutch, making 1st and reverse gears almost impossible to engage from a standstill. Because the clutch and brake systems share similar fluid maintenance regimes, dirty moisture-laden DOT 4 fluid accelerates the failure. Replacing the slave cylinder along with a braided flexi-hose and fresh fluid is a standard UK independent repair.
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