Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Mazda 626 LX?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1988 Mazda 626 LX?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1988 Mazda 626 LX?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1988 Mazda 626 LX?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda 626 LX (1988)

1,133 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.5% first-time pass rate

1988 Mazda 626 LX

CarHunch analysed 1,133 real MOT records for the 1988 Mazda 626 LX. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 79.5% below UK average

0.5%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

132,839

typical mileage

104,946–155,198 middle half

0.1%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.01

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Mazda 626 LX

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 LX

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

Inspection

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

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	1,132	0.5%	0.01
Diesel (0%)	1	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Mazda 626 LX 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.

104,946

low mileage

132,839

typical

155,198

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Mazda 626 LX vehicles fall between 104,946 and 155,198 miles.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.01

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mazda 626 LX?

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

Other model years — Mazda 626 LX:

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989 1990 1991 1994 1995