1999 Mazda 626 — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 447 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Mazda 626, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 72.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 39.1% in the 150k+ group versus 16.7% in the 30-60k group.

Pass rate

447

MOT tests analysed

27.7%

Fail rate

worse than

vs cars of similar age

23.4

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 1999 Mazda 626
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Brakes	15.9%	71
2	Suspension	12.3%	55
3	Lighting & signalling	6.3%	28
4	Body, structure & corrosion	5.8%	26
5	Tyres	4.9%	22
6	Visibility	3.8%	17

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 1999 Mazda 626
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Component mounting prescribed areas	57
2	Rbt (sp)	31
3	Service brake performance	28
4	Catalyst emissions	24
5	Service brake imbalance	22
6	Wipers	20

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 1999 Mazda 626
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Brakes	44.1%	197
2	Suspension	43.6%	195
3	Tyres	27.3%	122
4	Body, structure & corrosion	16.8%	75
5	Other defects	12.5%	56
6	Emissions & environmental	7.4%	33

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 1999 626
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
30-60k	66	16.7%
60-90k	130	19.2%
90-120k	139	34.5%
120-150k	61	32.8%
150k+	46	39.1%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 1999 626
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2021	166	29.5%
2022	99	25.3%
2023	76	23.7%
2024	59	27.1%
2025	47	34.0%

What to check before buying a 1999 626

Before buying a 1999 Mazda 626, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 15.9% of tests for this year.

Brakes (15.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Suspension (12.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 1999 Mazda 626s pass their MOT?

72.3% of the 447 1999 Mazda 626 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mazda 626?

Brakes, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).

Does the 1999 626 get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 39.1% in the 150k+ band.

Methodology & source. Based on 447 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.