1990 Mazda 121 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 121 models manufactured in 1990, based on 260 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 121 cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 Mazda 121 vintage page → (48.6% current pass rate)1990 Mazda 121 MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mazda 121 has an MOT pass rate of 48.5% based on 260 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 76,855 miles on the odometer. With a 51.5% failure rate, the 1990 121 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mazda 121 is Brakes, responsible for 1.5% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Tyres is the second most common issue at 0.4%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 121 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 76,855 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.20 | 1.5% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.05 | 0.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mazda 121 has an MOT pass rate of 48.5% based on 260 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 76,855 miles on the odometer. With a 51.5% failure rate, the 1990 121 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mazda 121, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). At 76,855 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Brakes — 1.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1990 Mazda 121 models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Tyres — 0.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1990 Mazda 121 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.