Mazda 121 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Mazda 121. Check any 121 by registration number below.

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83.9%

Avg Pass Rate

+0.6%

vs Mazda Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

Mazda 121 — MOT Reliability Overview

The Mazda 121 has an average MOT pass rate of 83.9%, which is 0.6 percentage points above the Mazda brand average of 83.3%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 121 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a Mazda 121 fails its MOT are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. If you are preparing your 121 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Mazda 121, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Mazda 121 performs at MOT across different model years.

2008

Based on 57 vehicles

80.7%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

2007

Based on 72 vehicles

94.4%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

2002

Based on 324 vehicles

87.0%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

Mileage at 10yr

116k mi

2001

Based on 591 vehicles

87.5%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

Mileage at 10yr

90k mi

2000

Based on 704 vehicles

86.8%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

Mileage at 10yr

104k mi

1999

Based on 1,075 vehicles

85.9%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

Dangerous Defects

8.3%

Retest Rate

50.0%

Mileage at 10yr

101k mi

1998

Based on 1,977 vehicles

85.2%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

Mileage at 10yr

96k mi

1997

Based on 3,245 vehicles

85.1%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

22.2%

1996

Based on 1,572 vehicles

84.2%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

1995

Based on 622 vehicles

83.6%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

1994

Based on 526 vehicles

85.0%Excellent

Mazda average: 83.3%

1993

Based on 468 vehicles

82.7%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

1992

Based on 640 vehicles

80.6%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

1991

Based on 502 vehicles

84.3%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

1990

Based on 275 vehicles

80.4%Good

Mazda average: 83.3%

0

Based on 105 vehicles

69.5%Average

Mazda average: 83.3%

Mileage at 5yr

65k mi

Top MOT Failures — Mazda 121

The most common reasons a Mazda 121 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

27.9%

Mazda 121 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Other Mazda Models

Compare MOT reliability across Mazda models.

Mazda Mx-30 Se-l Lux Ev

93.1% pass rate

Mazda 2 Se-l

100.0% pass rate

Mazda MPV

54.1% pass rate

Mazda E Series

65.9% pass rate

Mazda Premacy

88.7% pass rate

Mazda 5

73.3% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Mazda 121

Mazda 121 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Mazda 121 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda 121?

The average MOT pass rate for the Mazda 121 is 83.9% compared to the Mazda average of 83.3%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Mazda 121?

The most common MOT failures on the Mazda 121 are: A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (27.9%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Mazda 121 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 83.9%, the Mazda 121 is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a Mazda 121?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Mazda 121?

Typical mileage for the Mazda 121: 115,562 miles at 10 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 121 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Mazda 121's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.