Mazda 323 (2002)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 329 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,353

£196/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1324cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,353/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1324cc24 years old329 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1324cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,353

Per month£196/mo

Per week£45/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mazda brand average of 81%.

64% of MOT tests on Mazda 323s from 2002 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 22 years old. That's based on 329 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,077 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 models361st of 391(bottom 8%)

Rank among Mazda models434th of 459(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 2002 models average-9%(73% avg)

vs Mazda average-17%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,077

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2002 Mazda 323 had 79,077 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 64%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

MINI

2004 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+7%

Ford Focus

2004 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

69%

+5%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+7%

Volkswagen Polo

2004 · 1400cc Petrol

£2,353/year

67%

+3%

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About the 2002 Mazda 323

The 2002 Mazda 323 is a small family car. Our records list a 1324cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 329 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 8% of 2002 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 79,077 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2002 Mazda 323 Fuel Costs

The 1324cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 Mazda 323?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,353 (£196/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Mazda 323 Reliability Trend

Older Mazda 323s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2002 Mazda 323

At 24 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2002 Mazda 323 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mazda 323(2002)	64%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353
MINI(2004)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
Ford Focus(2004)	69%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£75
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£200
Volkswagen Polo(2004)	67%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2002 Mazda 323

Is the 2002 Mazda 323 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 2002 Mazda 323s ended in a pass, from 329 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2002 Mazda 323 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,353 a year (£196 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Mazda 323?

64% of 329 MOT tests on the 2002 Mazda 323 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 361st of 391 models first registered in 2002 (bottom 8%).

Which year Mazda 323 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Mazda 323 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2002 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2002 Mazda 323?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2002 Mazda 323 is 79,077 miles, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.