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Mazda 121 (1991)

284 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.6% first-time pass rate

1991 Mazda 121

CarHunch analysed 284 real MOT records for the 1991 Mazda 121. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 18.4% below UK average
61.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
76,714
typical mileage
57,860–95,019 middle half
14.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.23
avg MOT failures per car
over 6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1991 Mazda 121

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Mazda 121

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Mazda 121 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

57,860
low mileage
76,714
typical
95,019
high mileage

Half of all 1991 Mazda 121 vehicles fall between 57,860 and 95,019 miles.

1991 Mazda 121 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2018 (37% of peak).

30 11 2014 2018

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2018.

MOT History Averages

6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.23
Avg failures per vehicle
4.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Mazda 121

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 30.5%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 25.1%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 19.8%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 18.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 18.5%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14.3%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14.3%
    Oil leak
  • 13.9%
    Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Mazda 121?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mazda 121:

1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999