At a Glance
The Mazda 121 DA has 5 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Suspension component mounting corroded being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 4K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Mazda 121 DA — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Mazda 121 DA MOT Pass Rate
Across 4K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Mazda 121 DA (1986–1991) has a fail rate of 51.0%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Mazda 121 DA Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Suspension component mounting corroded
873
occurrences
Rear suspension fault
260
occurrences
Subframe mounting corroded
192
occurrences
Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)
89
occurrences
CV joint worn
51
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mazda 121 DA owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mazda 121 DA owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Mazda 121 DA, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
256 distinct problems · 13,748 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Mazda 121 Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mazda 121 DA problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Mazda 121 DA (1986–1991), we have identified 5 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Suspension component mounting corroded". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Mazda 121 DA?
This generation has 4K MOT tests on record with a 51.0% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Mazda 121 DA?
There are 91 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the DA (1986–1991), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Mazda 121 DA?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mazda 121 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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