How much does a 1998 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 1998 MAZDA 626?

The 1998 MAZDA 626 has a 76% MOT pass rate based on 139 tests in 2026. This ranks 150 out of 340 cars from 1998.

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 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 MAZDA 626 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MAZDA 626s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 139 tests. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 MAZDA 626?

The average mileage for a 1998 MAZDA 626 is 103,613 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 139 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1991cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1991cc28 years old139 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1991cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1991cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 28 years old, 76% of MAZDA 626s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 139 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 103,613 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars150th of 340(top 44%)

Rank among MAZDA models295th of 483(top 61%)

vs national average-6%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+1%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-5%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

103,613

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 MAZDA 626 has 103,613 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 1998 sits between the two at 76%.

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

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-9%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-5%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+3%

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About the 1998 MAZDA 626

The 1998 MAZDA 626 is a family car with a 1991cc petrol engine. 139 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 103,613 miles at 28 years old, MAZDA 626 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 MAZDA 626 Fuel Costs

The 1991cc 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 1998 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 76% 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 1998 MAZDA 626

At 28 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 MAZDA 626's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 104k 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 1998 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(1998)	76%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£400
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£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.