CarVerify

Free Car Check

R121 DEU

1997 Mazda MX-3

Black Petrol 1845cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Jun 2026
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

100,175 mi
Last recorded100,175 miles
Recorded on27 Jun 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-386,688 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR121 DEU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-3
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,845cc
View full Mazda MX-3 reliability data

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 27 Jun 2025 100,175 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front shocker dust cover split

Offside Front shocker dust cover split

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 25 Jun 2024 98,702 miles

Nearside Front Body panel slightly loose dented (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 25 Jun 2024 98,702 miles

Nearside Front Body panel slightly loose dented (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Fail 25 Apr 2024 98,701 miles

Offside Rear Lower Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced infront of rear wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced +suspension components (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 11 Apr 2022 95,751 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 11 Mar 2021 95,734 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2021 95,734 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Fail 19 Feb 2021 95,723 miles

Nearside Front Steering locking device missing track rod end (2.1.3 (d))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Steering locking device missing track rod end (2.1.3 (d))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

under body and suspension components corroded

Pass 29 Apr 2016 95,613 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

weld repair to o/s outer sill

Fail 12 Apr 2016 95,600 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 4 Mar 2015 90,940 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 26 Mar 2014 82,861 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

Fail 26 Mar 2014 82,861 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Fail 8 Mar 2014 82,517 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 16 Mar 2013 74,651 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

exhaust flexi joint worn

Pass 5 Apr 2012 62,371 miles

All brake discs corroded

Front driveshaft c/v joints worn

N/S/F tyre close to legal limit

Fail 4 Apr 2012 62,369 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

All brake discs corroded

Front driveshaft c/v joints worn

N/S/F tyre close to legal limit

Pass 23 Sep 2010 58,776 miles
Fail 16 Sep 2010 58,739 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

puncture in both rear tyres.

Pass 15 Sep 2009 55,208 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Fail 11 Sep 2009 55,208 miles

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 18 Sep 2008 51,514 miles

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 19 Sep 2007 48,329 miles

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 18 Sep 2006 44,564 miles

rear tyres perrishing on side walls

How Reliable is the Mazda MX-3?

Based on 67,760 MOT tests across 8,694 vehicles.

63.9%
Pass Rate
4,237
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
8,694
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 4,172
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 4,102
constant velocity joint gaiter split 3,642
Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,510
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 2,968
Full Mazda MX-3 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R121 DEU is a 1997 Mazda MX-3 in Black with a 1,845cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 1997 Mazda MX-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.6% with a typical mileage of 86,688 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mazda MX-3 fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 4,172 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R121 DEU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mazda MX-3 typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 29 years old, this Mazda MX-3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R121 DEU?

You can check the full history of R121 DEU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R121 DEU registered?

R121 DEU is a 1997 Mazda MX-3, first registered on 2 August 1997.

Is R121 DEU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R121 DEU shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R121 DEU have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R121 DEU. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.