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Mazda Unknown (1996)

160 real MOT outcomes analysed • 9% first-time pass rate

1996 Mazda Unknown

CarHunch analysed 160 real MOT records for the 1996 Mazda Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 71% below UK average
9%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
83,895
typical mileage
83,895–118,167 middle half
3.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.28
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1996 Mazda Unknown

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 Unknown

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 (74%) 119 2% 0.07
Diesel (21%) 33 19.6% 0.82
Diesel (5%) 8 70.7% 1.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 Mazda Unknown 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.

83,895
low mileage
83,895
typical
118,167
high mileage

Half of all 1996 Mazda Unknown vehicles fall between 83,895 and 118,167 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.28
Avg failures per vehicle
1.6
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1996 Mazda Unknown

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 117.2%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 27.6%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive
  • 24.1%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 24.1%
    Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective
  • 24.1%
    Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
  • 20.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 20.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 17.2%
    Rear fog lamp not working

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Mazda Unknown?

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

UK

Other model years — Mazda Unknown:

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997