Mazda 323 (1991)
1991 Mazda 323
CarHunch analysed 3,744 real MOT records for the 1991 Mazda 323. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1991 Mazda 323
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mazda 323
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 3,735 | 56.5% | 1.64 |
| Diesel (0%) | 9 | 44.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Mazda 323 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1991 Mazda 323 vehicles fall between 81,722 and 128,194 miles.
1991 Mazda 323 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 28 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Mazda 323
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
24.5%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
21.4%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
19.1%
Oil leak
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17.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
16.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
14%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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13.8%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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13%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda 323?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.