Mazda 626
From 690 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 62 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 62 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 38 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 28 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 27 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 21 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 16 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 16 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 14 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 14 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 14 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 39.6% of 626 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 42.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £193.
Mazda 626 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 94 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 94. At this rate, roughly 12.4 years until none remain. Now at 1.4% of its peak (83,023 in 1999 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 229 | 958 | +0 | -16 | -16 |
| 2025 Q2 | 239 | 964 | +0 | -11 | -11 |
| 2025 Q1 | 249 | 965 | +0 | -36 | -36 |
| 2024 Q4 | 270 | 980 | +0 | -31 | -31 |
| 2024 Q3 | 283 | 998 | +0 | -20 | -20 |
| 2024 Q2 | 299 | 1,002 | +0 | -24 | -24 |
| 2024 Q1 | 309 | 1,016 | +0 | -29 | -29 |
| 2023 Q4 | 331 | 1,023 | +0 | -30 | -30 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 63.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1999 | 72.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, warning device shows system malfunction |
| 1998 | 70.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
Typical mileage
Half of all 626s tested had between 73,084 and 112,497 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 96,650 median miles, the 626 has 0.032 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mazda models
| Mazda 2 | 74.5% |
| Mazda 3 | 75.2% |
| Mazda MX-5 | 78.7% |
| Mazda 6 | 75.5% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 84.2% |
Common questions
What is the Mazda 626 MOT pass rate?
The Mazda 626 has a 68.8% MOT pass rate based on 690 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mazda 626?
The most common MOT failure on the Mazda 626 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 62 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
How many Mazda 626s are on UK roads?
There are 229 Mazda 626s currently licensed on UK roads, with 958 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mazda 626 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mazda 626 is 96,650 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 73,084 and 112,497 miles.
Buying a used 626?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 68.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £193 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 39.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.