2002 Mazda Demio — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Mazda Demio passed 69.4% of its 1,128 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.5%. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.0% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 208 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 37.5% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 32.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.0% | 192 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 146 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 136 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.0% | 68 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.0% | 68 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.8% | 65 |
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 | 208 |
| 2 | Joints | 108 |
| 3 | Wipers | 60 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 56 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 54 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 47 |
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 | 37.9% | 427 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.0% | 304 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.3% | 297 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 221 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.8% | 133 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 126 |
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 | 47 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 384 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 437 | 32.7% |
| 90-120k | 192 | 35.9% |
| 120-150k | 56 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 364 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 275 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 207 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 157 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 125 | 35.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Demio
On a 2002 Demio, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.9% 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+.
- 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.
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 2002 Mazda Demios pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 1,128 2002 Mazda Demio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda Demio?
Suspension, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.9%).
Does the 2002 Demio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 37.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,128 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.