Mazda 626 Glx Exec (1989)

1,528 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.4% first-time pass rate

1989 Mazda 626 Glx Exec

CarHunch analysed 1,528 real MOT records for the 1989 Mazda 626 Glx Exec. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1989 Mazda 626 is a serious reliability concern, with only a 40% first-time MOT pass rate—half the UK average of 80%—suggesting most examples on the road are suffering significant wear. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually absent at 0%, so what you're dealing with is accumulated age-related wear rather than safety-critical failures.

At nearly 118,000 miles on the clock, these cars are genuinely elderly and tired; the low average of 0.02 failures per vehicle masks the fact that most survivors have simply been scrapped or abandoned. If you're considering one, budget hard for remedial work before and immediately after purchase, and have a pre-buy inspection by a specialist non-franchised mechanic who knows 1980s Japanese cars.

Below average reliability 79.6% below UK average
0.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
117,915
typical mileage
88,110–144,831 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.02
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Mazda 626 Glx Exec

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 626 Glx Exec

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 1,526 0.4% 0.02
Diesel (0%) 2 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 Mazda 626 Glx Exec 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.

88,110
low mileage
117,915
typical
144,831
high mileage

Half of all 1989 Mazda 626 Glx Exec vehicles fall between 88,110 and 144,831 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.02
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mazda 626 Glx Exec?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mazda 626 Glx Exec:

1987 1988 1990 1991