Mazda Bongo MOT pass rate and common problems
60.8% of 14,610 Mazda Bongo MOT tests pass.
The Bongo passes 60.8% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mazda models (77.9%).
The Mazda Bongo passes 60.8% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mazda Bongo?
This is the average across every Mazda Bongo in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 70.9% at 3–6 years to 60.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (21) | 21 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 70.9% | 506 | 94,175 miles |
| 6–10 years | 64.6% | 1,957 | 115,722 miles |
| 10–15 years | 55.9% | 2,744 | 141,877 miles |
| 15+ years | 60.8% | 9,382 | 134,591 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda Bongo
The most common reason the Mazda Bongo fails its MOT is suspension — present in 89.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 89.8% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 73.9% | Not working |
| Body, chassis, structure | 51.1% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Brakes | 32.5% | Excessively binding |
| Visibility | 19.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.0% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits |
| Steering | 11.4% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 9.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 9.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 0.8% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mazda Bongo: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda Bongo’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda Bongo comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 64.6% to 55.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 80.0% down to 69.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 89.8% of failed Mazda Bongo MOTs. 43.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 12.1% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 73.9% of failed Mazda Bongo MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 51.1% of failed Mazda Bongo MOTs. 26.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 2.0% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 32.5% of failed Mazda Bongo MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.6% of failed Mazda Bongo MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda CX-3 — 89.1% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 — 94.3% pass rate
- Mazda 5 — 59.5% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 SE-L — 93.6% pass rate
- Mazda RX-8 — 73.0% pass rate
- Mazda 2 SE-L — 95.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda Bongo?
- 60.8% of Mazda Bongo MOT tests pass, based on 14,610 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda Bongo?
- The most common reason the Mazda Bongo fails its MOT is suspension — present in 89.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda Bongo?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda Bongo are suspension; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion. 43.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 12.1% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda Bongo?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda Bongo's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.