1999 Mazda Demio — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 560 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Mazda Demio, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.0% in the 120-150k group versus 20.6% in the 30-60k group.

Pass rate

560

MOT tests analysed

29.8%

Fail rate

worse than

vs cars of similar age

23.6

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 1999 Mazda Demio
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Suspension	16.3%	91
2	Lighting & signalling	12.3%	69
3	Body, structure & corrosion	11.3%	63
4	Brakes	8.6%	48
5	Tyres	5.5%	31
6	Visibility	4.6%	26

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 1999 Mazda Demio
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Component mounting prescribed areas	76
2	Joints	46
3	Rigid brake pipes	29
4	Headlamp aim	27
5	Stop lamp	26
6	Catalyst emissions	22

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 1999 Mazda Demio
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Suspension	38.9%	218
2	Brakes	32.5%	182
3	Body, structure & corrosion	26.4%	148
4	Tyres	26.1%	146
5	Other defects	13.8%	77
6	Emissions & environmental	6.6%	37

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 1999 Demio
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
30-60k	126	20.6%
60-90k	211	32.2%
90-120k	143	32.2%
120-150k	50	36.0%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 1999 Demio
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2021	168	31.6%
2022	120	29.2%
2023	108	27.8%
2024	90	30.0%
2025	74	29.7%

What to check before buying a 1999 Demio

Before buying a 1999 Mazda Demio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 16.3% of tests for this year.

Suspension (16.3% 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 (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Body, structure & corrosion (11.3% 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

How many 1999 Mazda Demios pass their MOT?

70.2% of the 560 1999 Mazda Demio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mazda Demio?

Suspension, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.3%).

Does the 1999 Demio get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 36.0% in the 120-150k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 560 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.