How much does a 1998 MAZDA RX-7 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 MAZDA RX-7?

The 1998 MAZDA RX-7 has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 44 tests in 2026. This ranks 100 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year MAZDA RX-7 is most reliable?

The 2003 MAZDA RX-7 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 83%.

MAZDA RX-7 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 MAZDA RX-7 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of MAZDA RX-7s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 44 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 MAZDA RX-7?

The average mileage for a 1998 MAZDA RX-7 is 66,278 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 44 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2000cc28 years old44 tests66k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 2000cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/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

80% 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%.

At 28 years old, 80% of MAZDA RX-7s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 44 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 66,278 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars100th of 340(top 29%)

Rank among MAZDA models246th of 483(top 51%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+5%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-1%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,278

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 MAZDA RX-7 has 66,278 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 2003 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 83%. The 1998 sits between the two at 80%.

MAZDA RX-7 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	95%	38	87,678 mi
2006	81%	36	65,339 mi
2005	86%	70	84,482 mi
2004	96%	68	61,591 mi
2003	97%	110	72,480 mi
2000	79%	43	64,823 mi
1999	84%	51	63,297 mi
1998	80%	44	66,278 mi
1996	100%	32	69,028 mi
1995	96%	57	69,661 mi
1994	88%	33	69,342 mi
1993	83%	104	84,869 mi
1992	89%	76	76,722 mi
1991	82%	34	70,478 mi
1990	86%	97	85,348 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-13%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-7%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-9%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-2%

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About the 1998 MAZDA RX-7

The 1998 MAZDA RX-7 is a family car with a 2000cc petrol engine. 44 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 beats that benchmark.

With an average of 66,278 miles at 28 years old, MAZDA RX-7 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.

1998 MAZDA RX-7 Fuel Costs

The 2000cc 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 1998 MAZDA RX-7?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA RX-7 Reliability Trend

The MAZDA RX-7 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 MAZDA RX-7

At 28 years old, the MAZDA RX-7 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 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. Note: with only 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 MAZDA RX-7'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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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.

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 RX-7 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA RX-7(1998)	80%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£550
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£30
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397+£350

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.