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Mazda Xedos Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mazda Xedos car check

Is the Mazda Xedos reliable? We analysed 19,717 real MOT tests across 3,033 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 19,717 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
66.4%
Typical Mileage
96,450mi
Annual Mileage
4,647mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
34yrs

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

Mazda Xedos Number Plates

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

Mazda Xedos MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

72.1%
2000
68.9%
1999
69.5%
1998
67.9%
1997
64.8%
1996
63.4%
1995
62.4%
1994
59.8%
1993
61.5%
1992

Mazda Xedos Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

constant velocity joint gaiter split 1,512
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,213
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 893
position lamp(s) not working 573
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 565
Stop lamp not working 543
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 538
brake binding 497
brake disc excessively pitted 497
Brake pipe excessively corroded 481

Mazda Xedos Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,507 mi/yr
Typical
4,647 mi/yr
Average
5,684 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,670 mi/yr

Mazda Xedos MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 584 72.1% 61,389 83,283 107,084
1999 4,185 68.9% 63,246 84,504 106,528
1998 3,493 69.5% 63,811 87,388 111,902
1997 2,786 67.9% 75,265 96,100 119,591
1996 2,527 64.8% 83,718 104,363 129,043
1995 2,117 63.4% 87,258 107,799 129,032
1994 2,412 62.4% 84,742 104,132 130,084
1993 1,061 59.8% 89,773 114,305 140,422
1992 480 61.5% 88,939 115,231 137,940

How Long Does a Mazda Xedos Last?

Based on 3,033 Mazda Xedos vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.0 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
34 years

Mazda Xedos Mileage Distribution

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

Median
96,450 mi
75th Percentile
121,417 mi
95th Percentile
157,418 mi
Max Recorded
998,659 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda Xedos

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

Best year
2000

72.1% MOT pass rate from 584 tests

Year to avoid
1993

59.8% MOT pass rate from 1,061 tests

The best year to buy a used Mazda Xedos is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.1% across 584 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mazda Xedos Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mazda Xedos THIS CAR 66.4% 19,717 96,450 mi 34 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
Ford Fiesta Titanium Turbo MHEV 90.2% 18,574 21,104 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Mazda Xedos?

The Mazda Xedos has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.4% across 19,717 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mazda Xedos are constant velocity joint gaiter split (1,512 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,213), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (893). 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 Xedos owner drives around 4,647 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 Xedos models stay on UK roads for around 34 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 Xedos — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mazda Xedos reliable?
Based on 19,717 MOT tests, the Mazda Xedos has a 66.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mazda Xedos?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mazda Xedos do per year?
The typical Mazda Xedos does around 4,647 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mazda Xedos last?
Most Mazda Xedos models stay on UK roads for around 34 years based on our analysis of 3,033 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mazda Xedos?
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 Xedos?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mazda Xedos is 2000 with a 72.1% pass rate across 584 tests.