2001 Mazda 626 — MOT failures & pass rate
535 MOT tests on the 2001 Mazda 626 are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is 1.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.4%) and brakes (14.0%) 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, rbt (sp) and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 72 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 37.5% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 23.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.4% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 75 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 54 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 36 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 20 |
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 | 72 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 30 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 27 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 26 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 6 | Wipers | 22 |
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 | 39.1% | 209 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.8% | 186 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.4% | 152 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 93 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.3% | 87 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 37 |
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 | 83 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 197 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 500 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 35 | 40.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 185 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 127 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 94 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 73 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 56 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 626
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.4% 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 (14.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.1% 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 2001 Mazda 626s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 535 2001 Mazda 626 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mazda 626?
Suspension, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 2001 626 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 535 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.