How much does a 1996 MAZDA 626 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 MAZDA 626?

The 1996 MAZDA 626 has a 71% MOT pass rate based on 34 tests in 2026. This ranks 185 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year MAZDA 626 is most reliable?

The 1997 MAZDA 626 has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 66%.

MAZDA 626 (1996)

Q: Is the 1996 MAZDA 626 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MAZDA 626s from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 34 tests. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 MAZDA 626?

The average mileage for a 1996 MAZDA 626 is 74,421 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 34 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1839cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1839cc30 years old34 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1839cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1839cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 30 years old, 71% of MAZDA 626s from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 74,421 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars185th of 252(top 73%)

Rank among MAZDA models386th of 483(top 80%)

vs national average-11%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average-4%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,421

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 MAZDA 626 has 74,421 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 1997 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1996 sits between the two at 71%.

MAZDA 626 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2002	73%	66	74,728 mi
2001	67%	111	90,115 mi
2000	66%	120	86,511 mi
1999	73%	153	92,110 mi
1998	76%	139	103,613 mi
1997	78%	59	89,138 mi
1996	71%	34	74,421 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

75%

+4%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+8%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

+4%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1998 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

same

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About the 1996 MAZDA 626

The 1996 MAZDA 626 is a family car with a 1839cc petrol engine. 34 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 74,421 miles at 30 years old, MAZDA 626 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.

1996 MAZDA 626 Fuel Costs

The 1839cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 MAZDA 626?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA 626 Reliability Trend

Older MAZDA 626s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1996 MAZDA 626

At 30 years old, the MAZDA 626 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 1997 model has the highest pass rate at 78%. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 MAZDA 626's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

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 1996 MAZDA 626 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA 626(1996)	71%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1998)	75%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1998)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180

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.