1998 Mazda B Series — MOT failures & pass rate
253 MOT tests on the 1998 Mazda B Series are in this dataset, and 74.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.0%) and brakes (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, service brake performance and ball joint dust cover — chassis condition alone was recorded 20 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 32.6% in the 60-90k band and 20.3% in the 150k+ band, a 12.2-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.1% in 2021 to 27.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 33 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 29 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 29 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 13 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.3% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 20 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 18 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 17 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 16 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 15 |
| 6 | Joints | 15 |
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 | 32.8% | 83 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.5% | 72 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.3% | 69 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.3% | 59 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.2% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 12.3% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 43 | 32.6% |
| 90-120k | 81 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 37 | 24.3% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 55 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 48 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 46 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 43 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 B Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.7% 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 (11.5% 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.
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 B Seriess pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 253 1998 Mazda B Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mazda B Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by brakes (12.7%).
Does the 1998 B Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.6% in the 60-90k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 253 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.