2003 Mazda Demio — MOT failures & pass rate
560 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Demio are in this dataset, and 67.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Demio comes out 4.5pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 19.5% of tests against 11.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 159 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 35.7% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 31.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.5% | 109 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 64 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 54 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.5% | 42 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 34 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 30 |
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 | 159 |
| 2 | Joints | 39 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 4 | Wipers | 28 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 21 |
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% | 219 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 139 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.9% | 134 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 91 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.6% | 76 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 68 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 188 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 220 | 35.9% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 171 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 131 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 113 | 33.6% |
| 2024 | 76 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 69 | 36.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Demio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 19.5% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (19.5% 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 (11.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.6% 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 2003 Mazda Demios pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 560 2003 Mazda Demio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda Demio?
Suspension, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.4%).
Does the 2003 Demio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.7% in the 30-60k band to 35.7% 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.