Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT pass rate and common problems
74.4% of 1,187 Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT tests pass.
At 74.4%, the Bongo Friendee passes slightly less often than the average across all Mazda models (77.9%).
At 74.4%, the Mazda Bongo Friendee passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mazda Bongo Friendee?
This is the average across every Mazda Bongo Friendee 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 91.4% at 3–6 years to 77.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (13) | 13 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 91.4% | 81 | 102,789 miles |
| 6–10 years | 63.8% | 149 | 118,420 miles |
| 10–15 years | 56.9% | 160 | 133,284 miles |
| 15+ years | 77.8% | 784 | 113,333 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda Bongo Friendee
The most common reason the Mazda Bongo Friendee fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 88.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 88.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 58.7% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 39.0% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Brakes | 28.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 18.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.8% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits |
| Tyres | 9.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 6.5% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Mazda Bongo Friendee: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda Bongo Friendee’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 Friendee comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 91.4% to 63.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 85.4% down to 68.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 88.6% of failed Mazda Bongo Friendee MOTs. 41.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 9.9% at 3–6 years.
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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 58.7% of failed Mazda Bongo Friendee MOTs. 35.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 4.9% 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.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 39.0% of failed Mazda Bongo Friendee MOTs. 22.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.2% 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 28.8% of failed Mazda Bongo Friendee MOTs. 11.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 2.5% at 3–6 years.
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 18.7% of failed Mazda Bongo Friendee MOTs. 10.7% of tests at 6–10 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.2% at 3–6 years.
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 Eunos — 69.2% pass rate
- Mazda E Series — 62.6% pass rate
- Mazda RX-7 — 87.9% pass rate
- Mazda BT-50 — 73.2% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 Kuro — 94.5% pass rate
- Mazda MPV — 55.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda Bongo Friendee?
- 74.4% of Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT tests pass, based on 1,187 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda Bongo Friendee?
- The most common reason the Mazda Bongo Friendee fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 88.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda Bongo Friendee?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda Bongo Friendee are lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion. 41.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 9.9% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda Bongo Friendee?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; 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 Friendee'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.