Mazda Demio MOT pass rate & common failures
5,134 MOT tests on the Mazda Demio (1997–2025) give it a 71.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.6% fail rate), the Demio comes out 2.2pp worse. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.6%) and lighting & signalling (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 833 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.8% in the 0-30k band and 44.7% in the 150k+ band, a 29.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Demio model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 176 | 68.2% | 31.8% | Suspension |
| 1999 | 560 | 70.2% | 29.8% | Suspension |
| 2000 | 1,223 | 71.0% | 29.0% | Suspension |
| 2001 | 915 | 70.8% | 29.2% | Suspension |
| 2002 | 1,128 | 69.4% | 30.6% | Suspension |
| 2003 | 560 | 67.9% | 32.1% | Suspension |
| 2008 | 107 | 81.3% | 18.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 86 | 80.2% | 19.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 133 | 81.2% | 18.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 41 | 85.4% | 14.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 43 | 86.1% | 14.0% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.6% | 800 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 650 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 519 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.8% | 349 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 312 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 278 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.4% | 174 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 161 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 833 |
| 2 | Joints | 364 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 274 |
| 4 | Wipers | 271 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 244 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 234 |
| 7 | Catalyst emissions | 168 |
| 8 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 167 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.9% | 1,895 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.0% | 1,435 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.4% | 1,306 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 1,037 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.7% | 702 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 528 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 297 | 14.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,489 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,983 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 964 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 310 | 37.4% |
| 150k+ | 85 | 44.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,103 | 28.8% |
| Diesel | 31 | 16.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,512 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 1,163 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 966 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 782 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 711 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a Mazda Demio
- Suspension (15.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda Demio?
71.2% of the 5,134 Mazda Demio MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.8% fail rate, across model years 1997–2025.
What does the Mazda Demio most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests, then lighting & signalling (12.7%).
How much does mileage affect Demio MOT results?
Fail rates run at 14.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 44.7% for 150k+, a 29.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,134 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.