Mazda
Demio
1,300 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Demios pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 6.4 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
71.1%
Pass-after-fix
3.5%
Fail
25.0%
Avg miles
69,676
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Demio: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 973 MOT tests, the Demio returns 66.8% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a torn suspension dust cover round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 73,222, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 12–30
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
12–30
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
169 occurrences · 13.0% of tests
- 02
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
148 occurrences · 11.4% of tests
- 03
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
128 occurrences · 9.8% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
59 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 05
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
46 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
35 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
31 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 08
A tyre seriously damaged
29 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 09
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
29 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 10
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
29 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£90–£320
If every one of this Demio's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
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Parts & supplies for this fix
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Draper
Draper Drain Plug Key, 3/8 Square x 3/8 Sq. Dr.
£15.39
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Hycote
Hycote Mazda Silver Stone Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
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Autotek
Autotek Mazda Arctic White 300ml
£14.29
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Autotek
Autotek Mazda Brilliant Black 300ml
£14.29
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Recall history
1 UK recall on record.
The Demio has 1 official UK vehicle recall covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Demio?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Demio and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.