2002 Mazda 323 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,667 MOT tests, the 2002 Mazda 323 recorded a 69.1% pass rate. That is 3.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.0% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 362 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.7% versus 19.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.0% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.0% | 300 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 212 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 210 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 108 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 107 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 91 |
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 | 362 |
| 2 | Wipers | 101 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 97 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 89 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 81 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 78 |
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 | 41.0% | 683 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.1% | 486 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 470 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 286 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 259 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 213 |
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 | 31 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 497 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 604 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 365 | 35.9% |
| 120-150k | 140 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,636 | 30.9% |
| Diesel | 31 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 570 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 412 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 301 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 228 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 156 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 323
On a 2002 323, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.0% 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 (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.6% 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 2002 Mazda 323s pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 1,667 2002 Mazda 323 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda 323?
Suspension, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.7%).
Does the 2002 323 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,667 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.