Mazda 626 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Mazda 626 appears in 2,909 MOT tests spanning model years 1982–2015, and 72.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.0% fail rate), the 626 comes out 1.5pp worse. Its most common failure areas are suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.3%) and brakes (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 405 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.6% in the 0-30k band and 36.1% in the 150k+ band, a 22.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.1% in 2021 to 23.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 626 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 46 | 73.9% | 26.1% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1989 | 55 | 87.3% | 12.7% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1990 | 44 | 75.0% | 25.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 53 | 69.8% | 30.2% | Suspension |
| 1993 | 45 | 64.4% | 35.6% | Brakes |
| 1994 | 68 | 67.7% | 32.4% | Suspension |
| 1996 | 71 | 78.9% | 21.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 147 | 73.5% | 26.5% | Suspension |
| 1998 | 387 | 69.8% | 30.2% | Brakes |
| 1999 | 447 | 72.3% | 27.7% | Brakes |
| 2000 | 489 | 72.8% | 27.2% | Brakes |
| 2001 | 535 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Suspension |
| 2002 | 383 | 71.8% | 28.2% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.3% | 388 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 384 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 278 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 203 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 152 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 130 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.5% | 103 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.1% | 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 | 405 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 159 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 156 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 146 |
| 5 | Wipers | 133 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 119 |
| 7 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
| 8 | Position lamp | 98 |
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 | 37.0% | 1,077 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.5% | 1,063 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.1% | 731 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 505 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.4% | 390 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 235 |
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 | 59 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 443 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 959 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 782 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 394 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 269 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,805 | 27.1% |
| Diesel | 104 | 37.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 973 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 696 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 525 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 409 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 306 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a Mazda 626
- Suspension (13.3% 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.
- Brakes (13.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda 626?
72.5% of the 2,909 Mazda 626 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 27.5% fail rate, across model years 1982–2015.
What does the Mazda 626 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 13.3% of tests, then brakes (13.2%).
How much does mileage affect 626 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 13.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 36.1% for 150k+, a 22.5-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,909 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.