Mazda E Series (1992)

467 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.8% first-time pass rate

1992 Mazda E Series

CarHunch analysed 467 real MOT records for the 1992 Mazda E Series. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1992 Mazda E Series is notably less reliable than the UK average: a 65.8% first-time pass rate sits well below the 80% benchmark, meaning roughly one in three of these vans will fail their MOT. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 10.1%, so safety isn't the primary concern—it's the volume of wear-related failures accumulating with age.

At an average mileage of 131,833 miles for a 32-year-old van, these vehicles have seen genuine use, and that's reflected in the 1.48 average failures per test and 4.7 advisories per vehicle. If you're considering one, budget for regular maintenance and inspect the full MOT history carefully: petrol versions perform marginally better (66.8% pass rate) than diesels (64.6%), but neither inspires confidence, so factor in imminent repair costs before purchase.

Below average reliability 14.2% below UK average
65.8%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
122,688
typical mileage
95,793–149,585 middle half
10.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.48
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1992 Mazda E Series

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 E Series

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 (58%) 272 66.8% 1.58
Diesel (41%) 193 64.6% 1.34
LPG (0%) 2 52.8% 2.5

Mileage Distribution

Most 1992 Mazda E Series 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.

95,793
low mileage
122,688
typical
149,585
high mileage

Half of all 1992 Mazda E Series vehicles fall between 95,793 and 149,585 miles.

1992 Mazda E Series — Still on the Road

10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 50% of the peak remain.

20 10 2014 2019

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

4.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.48
Avg failures per vehicle
4.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mazda E Series?

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

UK

Other model years — Mazda E Series:

1989 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004