CarCostCheck

MAZDA 626 (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 111 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1991cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2397/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

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1991cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 25 years old, 67% of MAZDA 626s from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 111 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 90,115 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars299th of 362(top 83%)
Rank among MAZDA models426th of 483(top 88%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average-6%(73% avg)
vs MAZDA average-14%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,115

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 MAZDA 626 has 90,115 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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 2001 sits between the two at 67%.

MAZDA 626 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200273%6674,728 mi
200167%11190,115 mi
200066%12086,511 mi
199973%15392,110 mi
199876%139103,613 mi
199778%5989,138 mi
199671%3474,421 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2001 MAZDA 626

The 2001 MAZDA 626 is a family car with a 1991cc petrol engine. 111 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 83% of 2001 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 90,115 miles at 25 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.

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 £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 MAZDA 626?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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 7 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 1997 model has the highest pass rate at 78%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 MAZDA 626's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA 626(2001)67%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
MINI MINI(2003)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2003)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£370
HONDA CIVIC(2002)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2002)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£370

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.

Related Mazda Models

Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda 626.

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