Mazda Demio MOT pass rate and common problems
68.5% of 1,032 Mazda Demio MOT tests pass.
The Demio passes 68.5% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mazda models (77.9%).
The Mazda Demio passes 68.5% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mazda Demio?
This is the average across every Mazda Demio in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 80.6% at 10–15 years to 66.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (17) | 17 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 80.6% | 129 | 42,943 miles |
| 15+ years | 66.4% | 875 | 73,264 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda Demio
The most common reason the Mazda Demio fails its MOT is suspension — present in 78.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 78.7% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 50.1% | Not working |
| Body, chassis, structure | 40.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 32.3% | Excessively binding |
| Tyres | 23.2% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Visibility | 15.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 8.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 1.3% | Fixings not compatible |
Buying a used Mazda Demio: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda Demio’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda Demio comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 80.6% to 66.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 77.6% down to 62.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 78.7% of failed Mazda Demio MOTs. 31.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 9.3% at 10–15 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 50.1% of failed Mazda Demio MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 40.7% of failed Mazda Demio MOTs. 17.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 0.8% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 32.3% of failed Mazda Demio MOTs. 13.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.3% at 10–15 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 23.2% of failed Mazda Demio MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda E Series — 62.6% pass rate
- Mazda RX-7 — 87.9% pass rate
- Mazda Bongo Friendee — 74.4% pass rate
- Mazda BT-50 — 73.2% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 Kuro — 94.5% pass rate
- Mazda MPV — 55.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda Demio?
- 68.5% of Mazda Demio MOT tests pass, based on 1,032 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda Demio?
- The most common reason the Mazda Demio fails its MOT is suspension — present in 78.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda Demio?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda Demio are suspension; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion. 31.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 9.3% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda Demio?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; brakes; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda Demio's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.