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J981 HOW

1991 Mazda MX-3

Red Petrol 1845cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Dec 2026
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

131,088 mi
Last recorded131,088 miles
Recorded on5 Dec 2025
Typical for 1991 Mazda MX-3108,110 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ981 HOW
MakeMazda
ModelMX-3
Year1991
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,845cc

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

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 5 Dec 2025 131,088 miles

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

underside of vehicle covered in underseal

Pass 2 Dec 2024 129,980 miles

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 23 Nov 2023 128,629 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing ALL TYRES (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Underside covered in underseal

Pass 24 Nov 2022 127,484 miles

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing ALL tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Under side covered in under seal

Pass 25 Nov 2021 126,566 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 19 Nov 2021 126,528 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Nov 2020 125,903 miles

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing OS and NS (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 22 Nov 2019 125,035 miles
Fail 18 Oct 2019 124,991 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced wheel arch area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened subframe mounting point (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength area repaired with expanding foam inadequately repaired( 5.3.6 appendix A) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 33% suspect fault at offside rear (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 10 Aug 2018 123,729 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2017 122,492 miles

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

Oil leak ()

both rear tyres distorted and perished

underside of vehicle covered in a substance making it difficult to check items in a correct manor

Fail 1 Aug 2017 122,462 miles

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded floor/sill area (5.2.6)

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

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

Oil leak ()

both rear tyres distorted and perished

underside of vehicle covered in a substance making it difficult to check items in a correct manor

Pass 2 Aug 2016 121,336 miles

Offside front tyre cracked and both rear tyres cracked.

Vehicle corroded in places.

Fail 2 Aug 2016 121,331 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Rear registration plate character(s) not correctly formed (6.3.4b)

Offside front tyre cracked and both rear tyres cracked.

Vehicle corroded in places.

Pass 24 Jul 2015 119,759 miles

Both front coil springs corroded!

Oil leak

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 14 Jul 2015 119,724 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Both front coil springs corroded!

Oil leak

Pass 14 Jul 2014 117,961 miles

Brake pedal has long travel recommend bleeding brake system!

n/s/f tyre perished

underside of vehicle corroded in places

underside of vehicle covered in undershield making it difficult to test items correctly

Fail 9 Jul 2014 117,956 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

n/s/f tyre perished

underside of vehicle corroded in places

underside of vehicle covered in undershield making it difficult to test items correctly

Pass 11 Jul 2013 115,278 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

exhaust corroded in places!

oil sump pan very corroded!

Fail 4 Jul 2013 115,273 miles

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) excessively corroded (2.3.2)

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

exhaust corroded in places!

oil sump pan very corroded!

Pass 6 Jul 2012 112,376 miles

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

nearside rear tyre starting to perish

Fail 6 Jul 2012 112,375 miles

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

nearside rear tyre starting to perish

Fail 5 Jul 2012 112,366 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

nearside rear tyre starting to perish

Pass 7 Jul 2011 110,623 miles

extensive under body corrosion

Fail 4 Jul 2011 110,621 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

extensive under body corrosion

Pass 29 Jun 2010 108,286 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 29 Jun 2010 108,286 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 19 Jun 2009 102,845 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 17 Jun 2008 100,691 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2008 100,673 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Non obligatory mirror damaged

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

rear n/s flexi brake hose starting to perish

Pass 29 May 2007 94,958 miles
Fail 23 May 2007 94,958 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 2 May 2006 91,787 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

front cross member corroded.

front service brakes slight waver.

rear offside and nearside tyres perished.

Fail 21 Apr 2006 91,786 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

front brakes slight waver.

front cross member corroded.

rear offside and nearside tyres perishing.

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

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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

J981 HOW is a 1991 Mazda MX-3 in Red with a 1,845cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 1991 Mazda MX-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 62.2% with a typical mileage of 108,110 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 J981 HOW, 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 35 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 J981 HOW?

You can check the full history of J981 HOW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J981 HOW registered?

J981 HOW is a 1991 Mazda MX-3, first registered on 11 September 1991.

Is J981 HOW safe to buy?

The MOT history for J981 HOW shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J981 HOW 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 J981 HOW. 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.