Does the Mazda Demio fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Mazda Demio records 5.76 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 6.66 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.90, 95% interval −1.50 to −0.29). It ranks 353 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mazda Demio by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda Demio is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 170 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 170 | 2.46 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 140 | 2.02 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 72 | 1.04 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,922 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mazda Demio 2002 · Mazda Demio 2003 · Mazda Demio in the Netherlands · Mazda Demio by postcode area · Mazda Demio body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda Demio brakes failures · Mazda Demio vehicle identification failures · Mazda Demio lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda Demio noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda Demio seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda Demio suspension failures · Mazda Demio tyres failures · Mazda Demio visibility failures