2002 Mazda 626 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 383 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mazda 626, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 39.2% in the 120-150k group versus 20.3% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.7% | 60 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 58 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.8% | 49 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 22 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.0% | 19 |
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 | 83 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 27 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 19 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 18 |
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 | 36.8% | 141 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.7% | 133 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.7% | 106 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.1% | 58 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 31 |
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 | 79 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 109 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 39.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 138 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 97 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 64 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 47 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 37 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 626
Before buying a 2002 Mazda 626, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.7% 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 (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.8% 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 626s pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 383 2002 Mazda 626 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda 626?
Suspension, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.1%).
Does the 2002 626 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 30-60k band to 39.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 383 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.