Mazda Demio
From 1,077 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc and a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 133 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 133 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 52 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 50 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 38 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 37 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 33 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 32 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 27 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 26 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 25 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 49.2% of Demio failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 13.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £192.
Mazda Demio on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 128 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 21 newly registered, a net loss of 107. At this rate, roughly 9.4 years until none remain. Now at 10.5% of its peak (9,688 in 2004 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 471 | 546 | +4 | -23 | -19 |
| 2025 Q2 | 492 | 544 | +9 | -14 | -5 |
| 2025 Q1 | 505 | 536 | +4 | -56 | -52 |
| 2024 Q4 | 538 | 555 | +4 | -35 | -31 |
| 2024 Q3 | 555 | 569 | +4 | -22 | -18 |
| 2024 Q2 | 578 | 564 | +9 | -40 | -31 |
| 2024 Q1 | 602 | 571 | +4 | -42 | -38 |
| 2023 Q4 | 638 | 573 | +6 | -28 | -22 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demio | Diesel | 166 | 53% |
| Demio Gsi A | Petrol | 88 | 28% |
| Demio Lxi | Petrol | 61 | 19% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 71.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2001 | 69.1% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2000 | 66.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1999 | 69.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
Typical mileage
Half of all Demios tested had between 53,574 and 96,713 miles on the clock.
At 72,423 median miles, the Demio has 0.04 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mazda models
| Mazda 2 | 74.5% |
| Mazda 3 | 75.2% |
| Mazda MX-5 | 78.7% |
| Mazda 6 | 75.5% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 84.2% |
Common questions
What is the Mazda Demio MOT pass rate?
The Mazda Demio has a 70.9% MOT pass rate based on 1,077 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mazda Demio?
The most common MOT failure on the Mazda Demio is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 133 failures. Other common issues include a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
How many Mazda Demios are on UK roads?
There are 471 Mazda Demios currently licensed on UK roads, with 546 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mazda Demio at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mazda Demio is 72,423 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 53,574 and 96,713 miles.
Buying a used Demio?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 70.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £192 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 49.2% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.