Mazda 323 statistics

• Licensed in Great Britain 806 −20.8% on a year earlier
• Declared SORN 2,856 Off the road, not taxed
• MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 60.1% Cars of the same ages 60.9%
• Rank by number licensed No. 733 of 1,159 models we cover
• Peak year 1999 125,635 licensed
• Average annual mileage 3,212 miles a year

How many Mazda 323s are left in Great Britain?

There were 806 Mazda 323s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 2,856 declared off the road (SORN). That is 99.4% fewer than the peak of 125,635 in 1999.

Mazda 323 versions

The Mazda 323 ZXI V6 has its own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.

Mazda 323 MOT reliability

In 2025, 60.1% of Mazda 323 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mazda 323s tested pass 60.9% of the time, so the Mazda 323 does about as well as average for its age. In 2024 its pass rate was 58.0%.

Mazda 323 MOT failures

Suspension is the most common reason a Mazda 323 fails its MOT, appearing on 45.0% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.6% of Mazda 323 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common Mazda 323 MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Mazda 323 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”, on 22.9% of 433 failed tests. 68.5% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Engine oil leak, but not excessive”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Mazda 323 engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 888 Mazda 323s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 38.9% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc, and 29.1% have an engine of 1,401cc to 1,500cc. The share with an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc has grown from 31.5% in 2014 to 38.9%. Petrols made up 96.4% of those licensed in 2014 and 99.3% in 2025.

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Mazda 323 fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Mazda 323 from 2000, when the data begins, to 2003. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2003), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 31.4 to 55.4 mpg, with CO2 of 149 to 216 g/km.

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

• Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
• Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model name “323”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Mazda 323 safety recalls

DVSA lists 1 safety recall for the Mazda 323, launched on 13 November 2001.

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mazda 323. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

Compare the Mazda 323 with other Mazda models