2000 Mazda B Series — MOT failures & pass rate
1,228 MOT tests on the 2000 Mazda B Series are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.7%, so the 2000 B Series sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.2% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, chassis condition and component mounting prescribed areas — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 126 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.3% versus 22.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 248 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 171 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 139 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 111 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 73 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 51 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 126 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 96 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 86 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 75 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 71 |
| 6 | Joints | 69 |
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 | 38.6% | 474 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 34.0% | 417 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.4% | 373 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.3% | 262 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.9% | 207 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 164 |
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 | 101 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 208 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 255 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 292 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 356 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 315 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 282 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 238 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 217 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 176 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2000 B Series
On a 2000 B Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 2000 Mazda B Seriess pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 1,228 2000 Mazda B Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mazda B Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.9%).
Does the 2000 B Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 30-60k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,228 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.