1998 Mazda 626 — MOT failures & pass rate
387 MOT tests on the 1998 Mazda 626 are in this dataset, and 69.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.8% of the time, so this is 4.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.4%) and suspension (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 wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 51 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 42.2% versus 27.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.4% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 51 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 29 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 26 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 24 |
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 | 51 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 49 |
| 3 | Wipers | 24 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 16 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 14 |
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 | 43.1% | 167 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.2% | 148 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 92 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.4% | 79 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.8% | 42 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 39 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 136 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 124 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 54 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 42.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 88 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 78 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 53 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 38 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 626
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 13.4% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (13.4% 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.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (7.5% 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
How many 1998 Mazda 626s pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 387 1998 Mazda 626 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mazda 626?
Brakes, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 1998 626 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.2% in the 60-90k band to 42.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 387 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.