Mazda Mx 3 (1998)
1998 Mazda Mx 3
CarHunch analysed 882 real MOT records for the 1998 Mazda Mx 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Mazda MX-3 is a reliability concern: just 61.9% pass MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these cars (24.4%) have recorded dangerous defects during their test history—a red flag for safety-critical failures. This petrol-only model accumulates wear quickly, with an average of 3.3 failures and 12.3 advisories per vehicle suggesting systemic issues beyond minor maintenance.
At a median mileage of 82,500 miles for a 26-year-old car, these figures are reasonable for age, but the high advisory count points to suspension, exhaust, and structural corrosion problems typical of aging Japanese sports cars. Before buying, budget for an independent pre-purchase inspection and factor in potential exhaust and undercarriage work—this car needs hands-on vetting rather than paperwork alone.
What to check before buying a 1998 Mazda Mx 3
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.
- ⚠️ 24.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Mx 3
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 879 | 61.9% | 3.31 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 66.7% | 0.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Mazda Mx 3 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 1998 Mazda Mx 3 vehicles fall between 66,490 and 98,504 miles.
1998 Mazda Mx 3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 26 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (12% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Mazda Mx 3
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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49.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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49.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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35.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.2%
Oil leak
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24.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.3%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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23.3%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda Mx 3?
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