1997 Mazda 626 2.0L Petrol · R976 AMB

The most recent DVSA MOT test on this 1997 Mazda 626 was conducted on 15 January 2024, resulting in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded by the inspector. Reviewing the recent trend, the vehicle passed in January 2022, suffered a single failed test on 16 January 2023 with no defect details captured in the record, and then passed the very next day on 17 January 2023 before passing again in January 2024. The absence of recorded advisories across these tests is a positive indicator, and the rapid pass after the 2023 failure suggests the issue was minor and rectified promptly. Overall, the maintenance trend appears stable, though the lack of any advisory data means there is little insight into borderline wear items that may have been flagged but not recorded. With 122,416 miles recorded over approximately 29 years, this vehicle has averaged around 4,221 miles per year, which is notably low for a car of this age and points toward either light regular use or, more likely, extended periods of standing or limited use between MOT cycles. Such low annual mileage reduces wear on high-mileage components like the engine internals, clutch, and gearbox, but it introduces a different set of age-related concerns. Long periods of inactivity are particularly hard on brake systems, where calipers can seize and discs can corrode, on rubber components throughout the suspension and drivetrain, and on fluids that degrade by calendar age rather than mileage. The mechanical implications here lean more toward deterioration from standing than wear from use. Given the vehicle's age and the clean MOT record with no advisory history, a prospective buyer should focus on age-related deterioration rather than high-mileage wear. Begin with a thorough inspection of all tyres for sidewall cracking, perishing, and any flat-spotting from standing, as rubber degrades significantly after around six to seven years regardless of tread depth, and a 1997-vintage car will almost certainly need replacement tyres even if the tread appears acceptable. Inspect the brake discs carefully for severe surface corrosion, rust pitting, or lipping, and check that the calipers release fully by ensuring the wheels rotate freely by hand when cold and that the vehicle does not pull to one side under light braking. Test the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting points, silencer, and around the catalytic converter joint, as original system components on a nearly thirty-year-old vehicle are often at the end of their service life. Further checks appropriate to this age and usage profile include verifying the 12-volt battery's state of charge and holding capacity, as batteries rarely last beyond five to seven years and a failing battery can mask alternator or earth-fault issues. Open the bonnet and inspect all rubber hoses, drive belts, and wiring insulation for hardening, cracking, or brittleness, particularly around the radiator, heater, and brake servo vacuum lines. Examine the suspension for perished bushes, weak coil springs, and leaking shock absorbers by pushing firmly on each corner and releasing, listening for any clonking or knocking from the front struts and rear beam axle, and checking for uneven tyre wear which would indicate geometry or component issues. Finally, verify that coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable have been changed on a time-based schedule rather than purely by mileage, confirm the timing belt replacement history given the engine's age, and ensure that the service book has stamps or invoices documenting work carried out, as a well-documented history on a low-mileage classic is a strong indicator of careful ownership.