Mazda B Series (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 399 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,641

£220/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£410

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Diesel

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,641/year to run. 10 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Mazda B Series

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel2499cc23 years old399 tests123k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2499cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,641

Per month£220/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mazda brand average of 81%.

72% of MOT tests on Mazda B Seriess from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 399 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 122,590 miles.

Got a Mazda B Series you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models238th of 429(bottom half)

Rank among Mazda models352nd of 459(bottom 24%)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average+0%(72% avg)

vs Mazda average-9%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

122,590

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Mazda B Series had 122,590 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Mazda B Series?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2003 scores 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

BMW 3 Series

2005 · 2926cc Diesel

£2,641/year

78%

+6%

Honda Civic

2005 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

73%

+1%

Land Rover Discovery

2005 · 2600cc Diesel

£2,641/year

78%

+6%

Audi A4

2004 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,641/year

74%

+2%

Check a Specific Mazda B Series

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2003 Mazda B Series

The 2003 Mazda B Series is a large car. Our records list a 2499cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 399 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 122,590 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda B Series owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Mazda B Series Fuel Costs

The 2499cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 Mazda B Series?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,641 (£220/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% 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 point.

Buying a Used 2003 Mazda B Series

At 23 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

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 123k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 2003 Mazda B Series 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 B Series(2003)	72%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641
BMW 3 Series(2005)	78%	£1,676	£410	Grp 30-42	£2,641same
Honda Civic(2005)	73%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same
Land Rover Discovery(2005)	78%	£1,676	£410	Grp 30-42	£2,641same
Audi A4(2004)	74%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same

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 2003 Mazda B Series

Is the 2003 Mazda B Series reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 2003 Mazda B Seriess ended in a pass, from 399 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Mazda B Series cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,641 a year (£220 a month): £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mazda B Series?

72% of 399 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda B Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 238th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom half).

Which year Mazda B Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 Mazda B Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2004 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Mazda B Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda B Series is 122,590 miles, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.