2001 Mazda 323 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,235 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Mazda 323, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.8% in the 120-150k group versus 20.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.1% | 223 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 160 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.0% | 123 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.9% | 98 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 82 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 62 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 213 |
| 2 | Wipers | 75 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 69 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 58 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 56 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 55 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 49.8% | 615 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 374 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.6% | 366 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 237 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 231 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.4% | 141 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 45 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 276 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 485 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 293 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 107 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,203 | 28.9% |
| Diesel | 32 | 37.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 383 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 307 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 226 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 173 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 146 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 323
Before buying a 2001 Mazda 323, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.1% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Mazda 323s pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 1,235 2001 Mazda 323 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mazda 323?
Suspension, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.0%).
Does the 2001 323 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,235 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.