How much does a 1998 MAZDA B SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 MAZDA B SERIES?

The 1998 MAZDA B SERIES has a 73% MOT pass rate based on 100 tests in 2026. This ranks 198 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year MAZDA B SERIES is most reliable?

The 2001 MAZDA B SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 70%.

MAZDA B SERIES (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 MAZDA B SERIES reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of MAZDA B SERIESs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 100 tests. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1998 MAZDA B SERIES is 108,386 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 100 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1600cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Petrol1600cc28 years old100 tests108k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1600cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1600cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,957

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 28 years old, 73% of MAZDA B SERIESs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 100 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 108,386 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars198th of 340(top 58%)

Rank among MAZDA models350th of 483(top 72%)

vs national average-9%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-2%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-8%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

108,386

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 MAZDA B SERIES has 108,386 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 2001 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1998 sits between the two at 73%.

MAZDA B SERIES by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	73%	244	115,029 mi
2005	72%	595	110,924 mi
2004	70%	304	117,876 mi
2003	72%	399	122,590 mi
2002	72%	421	125,247 mi
2001	76%	192	127,878 mi
2000	71%	286	133,062 mi
1999	71%	279	126,167 mi
1998	73%	100	108,386 mi
1995	78%	32	104,863 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

same

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-2%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+16%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-3%

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About the 1998 MAZDA B SERIES

The 1998 MAZDA B SERIES is a small family car with a 1600cc petrol engine. 100 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 falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 108,386 miles at 28 years old, MAZDA B SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 MAZDA B SERIES Fuel Costs

The 1600cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 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 B SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA B SERIES Reliability Trend

The MAZDA B SERIES has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 MAZDA B SERIES

At 28 years old, the MAZDA B SERIES 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 2001 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 MAZDA B SERIES'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 108k 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 B SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA B SERIES(1998)	73%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1957
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£130
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£60
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£567
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235

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.