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Mz ETZ251 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mz ETZ251 car check

Is the Mz ETZ251 reliable? We analysed 1,783 real MOT tests across 275 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,783 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.4%
Typical Mileage
27,948mi
Annual Mileage
652mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Mz ETZ251 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mz ETZ251.

Mz ETZ251 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mz ETZ251. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mz ETZ251 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mz ETZ251 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.2%
1996
91.8%
1995
87.3%
1994
88.3%
1993
86.6%
1992
86.3%
1991
84.9%
1990
85.9%
1989

Mz ETZ251 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mz ETZ251 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 21
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 17
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 9
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 7
Direction indicator not working 6
Direction indicators not working 6
Brake pad(s) contaminated by oil or grease 5
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 4
Brake disc(s) friction surface contaminated by oil or grease 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 4

Mz ETZ251 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mz ETZ251 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
189 mi/yr
Typical
652 mi/yr
Average
1,407 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,483 mi/yr

Mz ETZ251 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mz ETZ251 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 95 83.2% 23,290 34,962 43,415
1995 269 91.8% 15,690 33,005 46,484
1994 181 87.3% 20,417 35,874 46,818
1993 188 88.3% 19,228 34,267 49,171
1992 337 86.6% 17,186 30,948 46,437
1991 117 86.3% 26,739 35,974 43,893
1990 337 84.9% 11,370 20,421 28,472
1989 170 85.9% 16,428 27,438 44,645

How Long Does a Mz ETZ251 Last?

Based on 275 Mz ETZ251 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
21.4 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Mz ETZ251 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mz ETZ251 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
27,948 mi
75th Percentile
42,800 mi
95th Percentile
74,335 mi
Max Recorded
549,360 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mz ETZ251

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1995

91.8% MOT pass rate from 269 tests

Year to avoid
1996

83.2% MOT pass rate from 95 tests

The best year to buy a used Mz ETZ251 is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.8% across 269 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mz ETZ251 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mz ETZ251 THIS CAR 87.4% 1,783 27,948 mi 37 yrs
Mz Baghira 83.4% 3,293 15,070 mi 26 yrs
Mz ETZ250 88.2% 2,739 26,583 mi 45 yrs
Mz Skorpion 84.4% 1,952 24,117 mi 32 yrs
Volvo V60 R-design + D4 Auto 85.9% 1,385 48,092 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mz Baghira (83.4% pass rate) and the Mz ETZ250 (88.2% pass rate), the Mz ETZ251 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mz ETZ251?

The Mz ETZ251 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.4% across 1,783 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Mz ETZ251 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (21 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (17), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (9). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Mz ETZ251 owner drives around 652 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mz ETZ251 models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mz ETZ251 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mz ETZ251 reliable?
Based on 1,783 MOT tests, the Mz ETZ251 has a 87.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Mz ETZ251?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mz ETZ251 do per year?
The typical Mz ETZ251 does around 652 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mz ETZ251 last?
Most Mz ETZ251 models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 275 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mz ETZ251?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mz ETZ251?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mz ETZ251 is 1995 with a 91.8% pass rate across 269 tests.