Mazda Demio (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 231 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1323cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1323cc27 years old231 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1323cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mazda brand average of 81%.

71% of MOT tests on Mazda Demios from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 231 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 78,427 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models253rd of 361(bottom half)

Rank among Mazda models368th of 459(bottom 21%)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-4%(75% avg)

vs Mazda average-10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,427

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Mazda Demio had 78,427 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 69%. The 1999 scores 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mazda Demio by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	97%	31	46,564 mi
2010	70%	54	62,821 mi
2003	69%	111	74,111 mi
2002	73%	221	72,784 mi
2001	73%	198	66,850 mi
2000	75%	220	73,264 mi
1999	71%	231	78,427 mi
1998	76%	88	75,081 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Toyota Yaris

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

same

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

-3%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+2%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

same

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About the 1999 Mazda Demio

The 1999 Mazda Demio is a small family car. Our records list a 1323cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 231 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 78,427 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda Demio owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1999 Mazda Demio Fuel Costs

The 1323cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 Mazda Demio?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Mazda Demio Reliability Trend

The Mazda Demio has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 1999 Mazda Demio

At 27 years old, the Mazda Demio is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2000 model has the highest pass rate at 75%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 Mazda Demio stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mazda Demio(1999)	71%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Toyota Yaris(2001)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£30
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£245
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£378

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1999 Mazda Demio

Is the 1999 Mazda Demio reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1999 Mazda Demios ended in a pass, from 231 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Mazda Demio cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Mazda Demio?

71% of 231 MOT tests on the 1999 Mazda Demio ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 253rd of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom half).

Which year Mazda Demio has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 Mazda Demio has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2003 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1999 Mazda Demio?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Mazda Demio is 78,427 miles, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.