Used car guide · 1998–2006

Mazda B Series common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mazda B Series, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 4,652 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

4,652MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

200620052004200320022001200019991998

What usually goes wrong with a Mazda B Series?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mazda B Series in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Mazda B Series MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Rear fog light

    up to 8.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 6.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2002 and 2004.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Steering box

    up to 81× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2002.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Mazda B Series MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200661%56% +5391 (small sample)
200557%57% +01,056
200456%57% -1517
200357%57% +0757
200259%58% +1710
200160%60% +0351 (small sample)
200058%61% -3505
199958%63% -5257 (small sample)
199864%65% -1108 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mazda B Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 8.1× as often on the Mazda B Series as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 6.2× as often on the Mazda B Series as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Mazda B Series as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda B Series?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score