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Mazda Demio Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mazda Demio car check

Is the Mazda Demio reliable? We analysed 136,409 real MOT tests across 10,090 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 136,409 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
73.0%
Typical Mileage
62,640mi
Annual Mileage
4,600mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Mazda Demio is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda Demio.

Mazda Demio Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mazda Demio. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mazda Demio MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mazda Demio to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.5%
2013
79.2%
2012
73.6%
2011
76.7%
2010
83.4%
2009
76.3%
2008
66.1%
2007
67.1%
2004
74.7%
2003
74.2%
2002
74.4%
2001
72.3%
2000
71.1%
1999
70.4%
1998
69.9%
1997
65.3%
1996

Mazda Demio Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mazda Demio fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 7,070
Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,472
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 3,970
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 3,593
brake binding 3,343
position lamp(s) not working 2,527
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 2,312
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,173
Stop lamp not working 1,889
Headlamp aim too low 1,729

Mazda Demio Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mazda Demio owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,519 mi/yr
Typical
4,600 mi/yr
Average
5,507 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,418 mi/yr

Mazda Demio MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda Demio year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 55 85.5% 38,674 69,074 94,292
2012 77 79.2% 52,041 71,557 121,502
2011 53 73.6% 52,000 64,582 118,893
2010 335 76.7% 21,188 40,233 78,080
2009 235 83.4% 19,217 32,272 47,730
2008 388 76.3% 26,779 47,474 71,872
2007 62 66.1% 40,871 62,113 87,498
2004 79 67.1% 61,773 83,784 109,456
2003 9,841 74.7% 32,040 51,132 75,748
2002 29,107 74.2% 35,315 54,250 76,319
2001 23,085 74.4% 39,262 58,971 81,981
2000 44,086 72.3% 47,022 66,328 87,886
1999 21,279 71.1% 50,674 70,168 91,862
1998 7,220 70.4% 55,778 75,116 96,915
1997 166 69.9% 67,387 90,836 123,572
1996 75 65.3% 76,056 114,904 147,842

How Long Does a Mazda Demio Last?

Based on 10,090 Mazda Demio vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.2 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Mazda Demio Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mazda Demio MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
62,640 mi
75th Percentile
85,327 mi
95th Percentile
122,238 mi
Max Recorded
997,466 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda Demio

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2013

85.5% MOT pass rate from 55 tests

Year to avoid
1996

65.3% MOT pass rate from 75 tests

The best year to buy a used Mazda Demio is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.5% across 55 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mazda Demio Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mazda Demio THIS CAR 73.0% 136,409 62,640 mi 28 yrs
Mazda MX-5 76.5% 2,502,760 63,190 mi 36 yrs
Mazda 3 77.5% 2,040,939 61,041 mi 22 yrs
Mazda 6 75.4% 1,904,140 77,387 mi 24 yrs
Mitsubishi Fto 64% 55,254 104,524 mi 32 yrs

Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda Demio trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mazda Demio?

The Mazda Demio has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.0% across 136,409 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mazda Demio are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (7,070 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (5,472), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3,970). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Mazda Demio owner drives around 4,600 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mazda Demio models stay on UK roads for around 28 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mazda Demio — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mazda Demio reliable?
Based on 136,409 MOT tests, the Mazda Demio has a 73.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mazda Demio?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mazda Demio do per year?
The typical Mazda Demio does around 4,600 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mazda Demio last?
Most Mazda Demio models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 10,090 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mazda Demio?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mazda Demio?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mazda Demio is 2013 with a 85.5% pass rate across 55 tests.