2000 Mazda 626 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Mazda 626 passed 72.8% of its 489 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.8%, so the 2000 626 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.7%) and suspension (12.5%) 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, wipers and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 67 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.3% versus 19.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.7% | 67 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.5% | 61 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 50 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.0% | 39 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 22 |
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 | 67 |
| 2 | Wipers | 29 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 28 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 25 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.8% | 185 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.1% | 162 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.4% | 129 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 77 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.0% | 54 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 53 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 84 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 162 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 158 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 123 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 81 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 82 | 35.4% |
| 2025 | 45 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2000 626
On a 2000 626, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (12.5% 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 (10.2% 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 2000 Mazda 626s pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 489 2000 Mazda 626 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mazda 626?
Brakes, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.5%).
Does the 2000 626 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 489 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.