Mazda 626 Gsi Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda 626 Gsi car check
Is the Mazda 626 Gsi reliable? We analysed 601 real MOT tests across 120 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda 626 Gsi? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda 626 Gsi is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda 626 Gsi.
Mazda 626 Gsi Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda 626 Gsi. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda 626 Gsi MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda 626 Gsi to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda 626 Gsi Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda 626 Gsi fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda 626 Gsi Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda 626 Gsi owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda 626 Gsi MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda 626 Gsi year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 67 | 71.6% | 65,369 | 86,950 | 105,364 |
| 1999 | 115 | 62.6% | 77,265 | 92,637 | 112,793 |
| 1998 | 259 | 65.6% | 81,446 | 103,330 | 129,271 |
| 1997 | 146 | 63.7% | 95,932 | 115,340 | 133,210 |
How Long Does a Mazda 626 Gsi Last?
Based on 120 Mazda 626 Gsi vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda 626 Gsi Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda 626 Gsi MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda 626 Gsi
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.6% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
62.6% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda 626 Gsi is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.6% across 67 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda 626 Gsi Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 626 Gsi THIS CAR | 65.6% | 601 | 102,496 mi | 29 yrs |
| Mazda MX-5 | 76.5% | 2,502,760 | 63,190 mi | 36 yrs |
| Mazda 3 | 77.5% | 2,040,939 | 61,041 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mazda 6 | 75.4% | 1,904,140 | 77,387 mi | 24 yrs |
| Nissan Note Acenta DCI | 86.6% | 656 | 74,070 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda 626 Gsi trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda 626 Gsi you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mazda 626 GsiShould you buy a used Mazda 626 Gsi?
The Mazda 626 Gsi has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.6% across 601 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mazda 626 Gsi are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (81 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (46), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (41). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mazda 626 Gsi owner drives around 8,766 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mazda 626 Gsi models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.