Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Mazda Demio?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Mazda Demio?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Mazda Demio?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2002 Mazda Demio vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2002 Mazda Demio reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,940 vehicles, the 2002 Mazda Demio has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Mazda Demio?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Mazda Demio are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (66.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (65.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (56.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Mazda Demio?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda Demio (2002)

1,940 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.3% first-time pass rate

2002 Mazda Demio

CarHunch analysed 1,940 real MOT records for the 2002 Mazda Demio. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2002 Mazda Demio falls slightly below the UK average first-time pass rate at 75.2% versus 80%, and over a quarter of examples have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuine concern for used-car buyers. This suggests the model is past its sweet spot for reliability and warrants close inspection before purchase.

With a median mileage of 55,760 miles for a 22-year-old car, these Demios are relatively well-preserved, yet they're accumulating an average of 3.87 failures and 17.7 advisories per MOT test, indicating wear is catching up. Budget for multiple repair items when you buy one, and always obtain a pre-purchase inspection to check for structural rust and any history of those dangerous defects.

The 2002 Mazda Demio has a decent first-time pass rate (75.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.87

Over 15 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

56k

Middle half: 43k–71k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 17.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,940 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,940 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 66.7%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 43.7%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Wipers & washers 23%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Other issues 17.9%

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt · Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,940 Mazda Demio cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Mazda Demio

Based on MOT data from 1,940 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	1,937	75.3%	3.88

Colour Breakdown

Based on 10,157 Mazda Demio vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 38.8%

3,937

Blue 30.1%

3,053

Red 17.5%

1,781

Green 9.3%

948

White 2.2%

221

Black 1.7%

177

Grey 0.3%

Maroon 0%

Orange 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Mazda Demio vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

55,760

typical

42,909

low mileage

71,166

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Mazda Demio vehicles fall between 42,909 and 71,166 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 42,909 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 42,909–71,166 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Mazda Demios sit.

⚠ Over 96,074 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Mazda Demio — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2002 Mazda Demios are still active.

Numbers are declining — 92 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.87

Avg failures per vehicle

17.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mazda Demio: All Demio years → Which year to buy? →

1998 1999 2000 2001 2003

Or browse all models: Mazda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Mazda Demio stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing