How much does a 1996 MAZDA E SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,395 (£200/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 MAZDA E SERIES?

The 1996 MAZDA E SERIES has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 42 tests in 2026. This ranks 201 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year MAZDA E SERIES is most reliable?

The 2004 MAZDA E SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 79%. The least reliable year is 2013 at 69%.

MAZDA E SERIES (1996)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 MAZDA E SERIES?

The average mileage for a 1996 MAZDA E SERIES is 90,740 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 42 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2184cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel2184cc30 years old42 tests91k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2184cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2184cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,395

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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 30 years old, 69% of MAZDA E SERIESs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 42 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 90,740 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars201th of 252(top 80%)

Rank among MAZDA models409th of 483(top 85%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average-6%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-12%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,740

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 MAZDA E SERIES has 90,740 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 2004 model with a 79% MOT pass rate, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 69%. The 1996 sits between the two at 69%.

MAZDA E SERIES by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	76%	51	92,371 mi
2017	77%	227	109,478 mi
2015	70%	341	118,471 mi
2014	74%	86	124,774 mi
2013	69%	71	132,287 mi
2011	57%	37	130,980 mi
2010	76%	33	143,721 mi
2004	79%	92	128,761 mi
2003	75%	36	129,916 mi
2002	72%	116	111,263 mi
2001	69%	159	113,168 mi
2000	69%	163	113,518 mi
1999	75%	84	134,044 mi
1998	63%	49	114,463 mi
1996	69%	42	90,740 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1998 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,250/year

69%

same

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

+7%

FORD FIESTA

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£1,927/year

65%

-4%

FIAT DUCATO

1998 · 1929cc Diesel

£1,727/year

71%

+2%

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About the 1996 MAZDA E SERIES

The 1996 MAZDA E SERIES is a family car with a 2184cc diesel engine. 42 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 80% of 1996 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 90,740 miles at 30 years old, MAZDA E SERIES 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.

1996 MAZDA E SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2184cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 1996 MAZDA E SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 (£200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MAZDA E SERIES Reliability Trend

The MAZDA E SERIES has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 MAZDA E SERIES

At 30 years old, the MAZDA E 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 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 79%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 MAZDA E SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 91k 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 69% 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 1996 MAZDA E SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA E SERIES(1996)	69%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2395
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1998)	69%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2250-£145
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345
FORD FIESTA(1998)	65%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1927-£468
FIAT DUCATO(1998)	71%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£668

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.