Mazda 626 (1990)
1990 Mazda 626
CarHunch analysed 1,310 real MOT records for the 1990 Mazda 626. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 Mazda 626 is a notably unreliable proposition at MOT time, with just 62.5% passing first time against the UK average of 80%—meaning nearly two in five examples fail their test. The 11.5% rate of dangerous defects is manageable, but the average 1.39 failures per vehicle points to systemic wear that accumulated over three decades.
At 110,600 miles median mileage, these cars show their age without being run into the ground, yet they're still racking up 3.8 advisories per test on average, suggesting aging brakes, suspension, and trim items. Before buying one, invest in a pre-purchase inspection focusing on electrical systems and rust-prone underside work—this generation needs it.
What to check before buying a 1990 Mazda 626
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
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 (99%) | 1,302 | 62.7% | 1.4 |
| Diesel (1%) | 7 | 14.3% | 0.43 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 33.3% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 Mazda 626 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 1990 Mazda 626 vehicles fall between 88,053 and 134,404 miles.
1990 Mazda 626 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2020 (24% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2020.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 Mazda 626
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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26.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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22.4%
Oil leak
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15.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.1%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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12.4%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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12.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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11.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda 626?
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