How much does a 1993 MAZDA MX-3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1993 MAZDA MX-3?

The 1993 MAZDA MX-3 has a 85% MOT pass rate based on 41 tests in 2026. This ranks 46 out of 194 cars from 1993.

Which year MAZDA MX-3 is most reliable?

The 1998 MAZDA MX-3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 65%.

MAZDA MX-3 (1993)

Q: Is the 1993 MAZDA MX-3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of MAZDA MX-3s from 1993 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 41 tests. That's 3 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1993 MAZDA MX-3?

The average mileage for a 1993 MAZDA MX-3 is 82,927 miles, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-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 41 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,807

£151/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £1807/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1598cc33 years old41 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,807

Per month£151/mo

Per week£35/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

85% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 33 years old, 85% of MAZDA MX-3s from 1993 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 41 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 82,927 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 cars46th of 194(top 24%)

Rank among MAZDA models209th of 483(top 43%)

vs national average+3%(82% avg)

vs 1993 cars average+9%(76% avg)

vs MAZDA average+4%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,927

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1993 MAZDA MX-3 has 82,927 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-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 1998 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1993 sits between the two at 85%.

MAZDA MX-3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1998	81%	86	77,900 mi
1997	71%	181	79,927 mi
1996	65%	109	93,478 mi
1995	80%	46	63,071 mi
1994	77%	61	90,059 mi
1993	85%	41	82,927 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-5%

ROVER MINI

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,722/year

74%

-11%

PEUGEOT BOXER

1995 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

68%

-17%

MAZDA MX-5

1995 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,017/year

74%

-11%

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About the 1993 MAZDA MX-3

The 1993 MAZDA MX-3 is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 41 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 24% of all 1993 cars for reliability.

With an average of 82,927 miles at 33 years old, MAZDA MX-3 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.

1993 MAZDA MX-3 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc 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 1993 MAZDA MX-3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA MX-3 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA MX-3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1993 MAZDA MX-3

At 33 years old, the MAZDA MX-3 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 81%. Note: with only 41 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1993 MAZDA MX-3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 83k 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 1993 MAZDA MX-3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA MX-3(1993)	85%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1807
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£60
ROVER MINI(1993)	74%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£85
PEUGEOT BOXER(1995)	68%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£410
MAZDA MX-5(1995)	74%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£210

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.