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Mazda 626 Gxi Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mazda 626 Gxi car check

Is the Mazda 626 Gxi reliable? We analysed 2,423 real MOT tests across 533 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,423 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
63.6%
Typical Mileage
103,932mi
Annual Mileage
8,132mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Mazda 626 Gxi is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda 626 Gxi.

Mazda 626 Gxi Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mazda 626 Gxi. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mazda 626 Gxi MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mazda 626 Gxi to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

65.1%
2000
69.3%
1999
65.2%
1998
64.1%
1997
60.2%
1996

Mazda 626 Gxi Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mazda 626 Gxi fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 228
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 225
constant velocity joint gaiter split 207
Brake pipe excessively corroded 126
parking brake recording little or no effort 116
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 90
brake disc excessively pitted 88
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 76
Stop lamp not working 72
position lamp(s) not working 70

Mazda 626 Gxi Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mazda 626 Gxi owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
5,193 mi/yr
Typical
8,132 mi/yr
Average
9,532 mi/yr
Heavy usage
12,158 mi/yr

Mazda 626 Gxi MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda 626 Gxi year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 106 65.1% 59,119 78,021 101,743
1999 218 69.3% 74,298 97,194 123,065
1998 586 65.2% 80,991 99,801 126,362
1997 697 64.1% 88,876 104,620 127,506
1996 772 60.2% 90,964 111,395 133,508

How Long Does a Mazda 626 Gxi Last?

Based on 533 Mazda 626 Gxi vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.2 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Mazda 626 Gxi Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mazda 626 Gxi MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
103,932 mi
75th Percentile
128,414 mi
95th Percentile
163,639 mi
Max Recorded
855,751 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda 626 Gxi

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1999

69.3% MOT pass rate from 218 tests

Year to avoid
1996

60.2% MOT pass rate from 772 tests

The best year to buy a used Mazda 626 Gxi is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.3% across 218 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.2% — 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 Gxi Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mazda 626 Gxi THIS CAR 63.6% 2,423 103,932 mi 30 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
Toyota Yaris Colour Collection 81.7% 2,073 88,325 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda 626 Gxi trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mazda 626 Gxi?

The Mazda 626 Gxi has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.6% across 2,423 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Mazda 626 Gxi are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (228 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (225), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (207). 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 Gxi owner drives around 8,132 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 Gxi models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.

Mazda 626 Gxi — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mazda 626 Gxi reliable?
Based on 2,423 MOT tests, the Mazda 626 Gxi has a 63.6% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Mazda 626 Gxi?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mazda 626 Gxi do per year?
The typical Mazda 626 Gxi does around 8,132 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mazda 626 Gxi last?
Most Mazda 626 Gxi models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 533 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mazda 626 Gxi?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mazda 626 Gxi?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mazda 626 Gxi is 1999 with a 69.3% pass rate across 218 tests.