1998 Mazda 323: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Mazda 323?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Mazda 323 than on all cars registered in 1998.

• Sub-frame5.5× usual
  Mazda 323

  14.9% All 1998 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 1998 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.2× usual
  Mazda 323

  16.3% All 1998 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.2% of all 1998 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.

• Coil springs2.2× usual
  Mazda 323

  15.6% All 1998 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Suspension arm3.7× usual
  Mazda 323

  9.9% All 1998 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 1998 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints4.8× usual
  Mazda 323

  8.6% All 1998 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 1998 Mazda 323 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Mazda 323 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  53% 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
  42% 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
  27% 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
  25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Rust and bodywork
  21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 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 sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 1998 Mazda 323 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 1998 Mazda 323 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1998 Mazda 323 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?