Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2001 Mazda 626?

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 2001 Mazda 626?

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 2001 Mazda 626?

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.

How many 2001 Mazda 626 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2001 Mazda 626 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,697 vehicles, the 2001 Mazda 626 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2001 Mazda 626?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2001 Mazda 626 are: Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (71.3% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (65.5% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2001 Mazda 626?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Mazda 626 (2001)

2,697 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.2% first-time pass rate

2001 Mazda 626

CarHunch analysed 2,697 real MOT records for the 2001 Mazda 626. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2001 Mazda 626 passes its MOT first time at 72%, which is 8 points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that suggests this model has aged less gracefully than most. More concerning, nearly 30% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects, well above the typical threshold, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.

At 23 years old, the median mileage of 76,722 is reasonable, but the average of 3.58 failures per vehicle indicates that when these cars do fail, problems tend to cluster. Before committing to one, get a full diagnostic check focusing on electrics, emissions, and suspension—the areas where 626s commonly rack up their 13.8 average advisories.

The 2001 Mazda 626 has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.2% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

72.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

29.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.58

Over 12.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

77k

Middle half: 61k–95k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 13.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,697 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,697 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 71.3%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 65.5%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 19.3%

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint · Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,697 Mazda 626 cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Mazda 626

Based on MOT data from 2,697 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (87%)	2,356	72.7%	3.58
Diesel (12%)	333	68.9%	3.62

Colour Breakdown

Based on 41,907 Mazda 626 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 29.5%

12,373

Blue 21.6%

9,037

Red 20.2%

8,458

Green 12.1%

5,060

White 7.8%

3,280

Black 3.7%

1,565

Grey 3.4%

1,411

Brown 0.8%

327

Gold 0.6%

249

Maroon 0.2%

Beige 0.1%

Bronze 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Mazda 626 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

76,722

typical

60,710

low mileage

94,623

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Mazda 626 vehicles fall between 60,710 and 94,623 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 60,710 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 60,710–94,623 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Mazda 626s sit.

⚠ Over 127,741 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Mazda 626 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2001 Mazda 626s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 73 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (6% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

12.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.58

Avg failures per vehicle

13.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mazda 626: All 626 years → Which year to buy? →

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002

Or browse all models: Mazda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2001 Mazda 626 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on