Mazda Tribute (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 55 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1989cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1989cc23 years old55 tests96k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1989cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,711

Per month£226/mo

Per week£52/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p 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

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mazda brand average of 81%.

65% of MOT tests on Mazda Tributes from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 55 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 96,421 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models389th of 429(bottom 10%)

Rank among Mazda models425th of 459(bottom 8%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-7%(72% avg)

vs Mazda average-16%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

96,421

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Mazda Tribute had 96,421 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.

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Mazda Tribute by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	62%	81	99,359 mi
2003	65%	55	96,421 mi
2002	71%	45	103,676 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+6%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+6%

Toyota Corolla

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

76%

+11%

Renault Clio

2005 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,711/year

67%

+2%

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About the 2003 Mazda Tribute

The 2003 Mazda Tribute is a family car. Our records list a 1989cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 55 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 10% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 96,421 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda Tribute owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Mazda Tribute Fuel Costs

The 1989cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 Mazda Tribute?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 2003 Mazda Tribute

At 23 years old, the Mazda Tribute 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. Note: with only 55 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 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

Medium risk

With an average of 96k 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 65% 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 2003 Mazda Tribute 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 Tribute(2003)	65%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Toyota Corolla(2005)	76%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Renault Clio(2005)	67%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711same

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 Tribute

Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 2003 Mazda Tributes ended in a pass, from 55 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Mazda Tribute cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mazda Tribute?

65% of 55 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Tribute ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 389th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 10%).

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Mazda Tribute?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Tribute is 96,421 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.