2001 Mazda Demio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 915 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Mazda Demio, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.9% in the 120-150k group versus 19.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.4% | 150 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 111 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 96 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.6% | 70 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 60 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 45 |
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 | 172 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 68 |
| 3 | Joints | 65 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 52 |
| 5 | Wipers | 52 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 38 |
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 | 39.1% | 358 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.9% | 274 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.5% | 224 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.4% | 223 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 140 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 99 |
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 | 57 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 260 | 25.4% |
| 60-90k | 341 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 169 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 38.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 277 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 209 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 173 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 139 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 117 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Demio
Before buying a 2001 Mazda Demio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 16.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (16.4% 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 (12.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.5% 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 2001 Mazda Demios pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 915 2001 Mazda Demio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mazda Demio?
Suspension, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.1%).
Does the 2001 Demio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 38.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 915 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.