How much does a 1991 MAZDA 323 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 MAZDA 323?

The 1991 MAZDA 323 has a 70% MOT pass rate based on 93 tests in 2026. This ranks 147 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year MAZDA 323 is most reliable?

The 1995 MAZDA 323 has the highest MOT pass rate at 87%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 54%.

MAZDA 323 (1991)

Q: Is the 1991 MAZDA 323 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MAZDA 323s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 93 tests. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 MAZDA 323?

The average mileage for a 1991 MAZDA 323 is 95,373 miles, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 93 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc35 years old93 tests95k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,957

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 35 years old, 70% of MAZDA 323s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 93 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 95,373 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars147th of 179(top 82%)

Rank among MAZDA models393th of 483(top 81%)

vs national average-12%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average-8%(78% avg)

vs MAZDA average-11%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

95,373

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 MAZDA 323 has 95,373 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1995 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 54%. The 1991 sits between the two at 70%.

MAZDA 323 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2003	68%	412	71,605 mi
2002	64%	329	79,077 mi
2001	68%	233	81,970 mi
2000	68%	241	82,611 mi
1999	71%	432	80,508 mi
1998	71%	445	91,617 mi
1997	75%	419	93,660 mi
1996	76%	144	99,541 mi
1995	87%	90	79,459 mi
1994	78%	76	74,502 mi
1993	54%	92	98,919 mi
1992	77%	61	111,862 mi
1991	70%	93	95,373 mi
1990	80%	50	80,330 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+10%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

+14%

ROVER MINI

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,722/year

74%

+4%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

+15%

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About the 1991 MAZDA 323

The 1991 MAZDA 323 is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 93 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 82% of 1991 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 95,373 miles at 35 years old, MAZDA 323 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 MAZDA 323 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 MAZDA 323?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA 323 Reliability Trend

Older MAZDA 323s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1991 MAZDA 323

At 35 years old, the MAZDA 323 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 87%. Note: with only 93 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 MAZDA 323's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 95k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 MAZDA 323 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA 323(1991)	70%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1957
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£90
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£90
ROVER MINI(1993)	74%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£280

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.