Mazda Demio (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 111 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1498cc23 years old111 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mazda brand average of 81%.

69% of MOT tests on Mazda Demios from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 111 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,111 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models310th of 429(bottom half)

Rank among Mazda models394th of 459(bottom 15%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-3%(72% avg)

vs Mazda average-12%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,111

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Mazda Demio had 74,111 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. 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

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+2%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+2%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+2%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+4%

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About the 2003 Mazda Demio

The 2003 Mazda Demio is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 111 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 74,111 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.

2003 Mazda Demio Fuel Costs

The 1498cc 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 2003 Mazda Demio?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 2003 Mazda Demio

At 23 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.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2003 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(2003)	69%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275

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 2003 Mazda Demio

Is the 2003 Mazda Demio reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2003 Mazda Demios ended in a pass, from 111 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Mazda Demio cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mazda Demio?

69% of 111 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Demio ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 310th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (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 2003 Mazda Demio?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Demio is 74,111 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.