1997 Mazda 323: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Mazda 323?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Mazda 323 than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3× usual
  Mazda 323

  19.8% All 1997 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 1.9% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Sub-frame5.5× usual
  Mazda 323

  14.2% All 1997 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Exhaust system2.3× usual
  Mazda 323

  20.6% All 1997 cars

  9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.7% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Suspension arm3.4× usual
  Mazda 323

  9.1% All 1997 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 1997 Mazda 323 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Mazda 323 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  39% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  31% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Driveshafts and joints
  20% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Mazda 323

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 1997 Mazda 323 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 1997 Mazda 323 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1997 Mazda 323 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?