MOT cost .

Mazda

626

528 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where 626s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.

That's 8.3 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,988 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.

Pass

67.4%

Pass-after-fix

4.4%

Fail

27.6%

Avg miles

93,912

Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%

The picture

626: a below-average pass rate worth digging into

Across 528 MOT tests, the 626 returns 67.4% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 93,912, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.

Top ten reasons for rejection.

  1. 01

    The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

    67 occurrences · 12.7% of tests

  2. 02

    The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

    38 occurrences · 7.2% of tests

  3. 03

    A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated

    30 occurrences · 5.7% of tests

  4. 04

    A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated

    20 occurrences · 3.8% of tests

  5. 05

    Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement

    18 occurrences · 3.4% of tests

  6. 06

    Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated

    17 occurrences · 3.2% of tests

  7. 07

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

    16 occurrences · 3.0% of tests

  8. 08

    Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view

    15 occurrences · 2.8% of tests

  9. 09

    Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

    14 occurrences · 2.7% of tests

  10. 10

    Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

    13 occurrences · 2.5% of tests

Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.

Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures

£140–£420

If every one of this 626's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →

Try the calculator

Build your own retest budget.

Buying or keeping a 626?

Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.

If you own a 626 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.