Mazda 626 (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 111 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1991cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1991cc25 years old111 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1991cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,711

Per month£226/mo

Per week£52/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mazda brand average of 81%.

67% of MOT tests on Mazda 626s from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 111 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 90,115 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models290th of 350(bottom 18%)

Rank among Mazda models412th of 459(bottom 11%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average-6%(73% avg)

vs Mazda average-14%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,115

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Mazda 626 had 90,115 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2001 scores 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

MINI

2003 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+5%

Ford Focus

2003 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

+1%

Honda Civic

2002 · 1590cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+5%

Vauxhall Astra

2002 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,428/year

69%

+2%

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About the 2001 Mazda 626

The 2001 Mazda 626 is a family car. Our records list a 1991cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 111 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 18% of 2001 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 90,115 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda 626 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 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 £1,631 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 2001 Mazda 626?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Mazda 626 Reliability Trend

Older Mazda 626s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 8 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2001 Mazda 626

At 25 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 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 25 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

Medium risk

With an average of 90k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 2001 Mazda 626 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 626(2001)	67%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711
MINI(2003)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Ford Focus(2003)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428-£283
Honda Civic(2002)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Vauxhall Astra(2002)	69%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428-£283

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 2001 Mazda 626

Is the 2001 Mazda 626 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 2001 Mazda 626s ended in a pass, from 111 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Mazda 626 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 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 2001 Mazda 626?

67% of 111 MOT tests on the 2001 Mazda 626 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 290th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (bottom 18%).

Which year Mazda 626 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Mazda 626 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2000 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Mazda 626?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Mazda 626 is 90,115 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.