Makes › Mazda › Bongo

Mazda Bongo reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 65,541 MOT tests of cars first registered 1995–2016.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
53.7%pass first time
−1.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 44%of cars
65,541MOT tests

Verdict

The Mazda Bongo passes its MOT first time on 53.7% of tests, 1.7 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (55.5%). That puts it ahead of 44% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2003 Bongo does best (beats 91% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 6%).

Better than average on brakes, emissions & leaks, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.3×as often as a typical car
Body & structure1.3×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light4.1×as often as a typical car
Component mounting prescribed areas2.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%52%54%56%58%60%131415161718192053%52%55%55%56%57%58%58%
Mazda BongoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1995
Beats 14%
1996
Beats 15%
1997
Beats 23%
1998
Beats 22%
1999
Beats 52%
2000
Beats 61%
2001
Beats 71%
2002
Beats 84%
2003
Beats 91%
2004
Beats 71%
2005
Beats 63%
2006
Beats 31%
2007
Beats 34%
2008
Beats 37%
2009
Beats 34%
2010
Beats 23%
2016
Beats 6%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1995–201042,62248.5%Beats 25%D
2.0 Petrol2000–201614,31966.3%Beats 84%A
2.5 Petrol1999–20028,60058.9%Beats 64%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 5.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 22.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 25.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 25.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−3.2 ptsTyres: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.3 ptsBrakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.2 ptsSuspension: 22.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−4.7 ptsExhaust: 5.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.0 ptsSuspension: 22.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 25.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 5.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 25.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−3.2 ptsTyres: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.3 ptsBrakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.2 ptsSuspension: 22.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−4.7 ptsExhaust: 5.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 22.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
25.3% vs 22.1%
Suspension
22.8% vs 18.0%
Body & structure
13.8% vs 10.8%
Brakes
10.8% vs 15.0%
Visibility
8.8% vs 7.8%
Emissions & leaks
5.8% vs 7.8%
Steering
5.0% vs 5.1%
Tyres
4.3% vs 6.6%
Seat belts & airbags
4.2% vs 3.9%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Exhaust system
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Brake performance
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k74%65%59%57%53%51%
Mazda BongoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Component mounting prescribed areas11.1%4.2%2.7×
Rear fog light9.3%2.3%4.1×
Windscreen wipers5.2%3.5%1.5×
Headlight bulbs & units4.9%4.0%1.2×
Ball joint dust covers4.8%2.1%2.3×
Headlight aim4.7%6.0%0.8×
Sidelights4.4%5.5%0.8×
Brake lights4.0%4.3%1.0×
Integral vehicle structure condition4.0%1.5%2.6×
Exhaust system3.6%3.1%1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired114.4
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning74.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn69.6
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc55.4
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen51.7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements47.1
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced46.0
Exhaust system leaking or insecure34.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2016 Mazda Bongo1 engine62.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,06762.0%Beats 6%E
2010 Mazda Bongo1 engine49.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,30449.4%Beats 23%D
2009 Mazda Bongo1 engine51.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,37351.1%Beats 34%D
2008 Mazda Bongo1 engine51.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2,27251.1%Beats 37%D
2007 Mazda Bongo1 engine49.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel3,37849.9%Beats 34%D
2006 Mazda Bongo1 engine48.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel3,23848.1%Beats 31%D
2005 Mazda Bongo2 engines57.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2,90248.6%Beats 34%D
2.0 Petrol1,87872.0%Beats 96%A
2004 Mazda Bongo2 engines59.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,32568.9%Beats 93%A
2.5 Diesel1,79548.2%Beats 35%D
2003 Mazda Bongo1 engine67.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,33967.6%Beats 91%A
2002 Mazda Bongo2 engines65.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,46167.6%Beats 91%A
2.5 Petrol2,09361.9%Beats 76%B
2001 Mazda Bongo2 engines60.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,58761.7%Beats 73%B
2.5 Petrol1,91659.3%Beats 68%B
2000 Mazda Bongo3 engines57.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,09658.1%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol1,66262.2%Beats 73%B
2.5 Diesel1,16449.5%Beats 37%D
1999 Mazda Bongo2 engines55.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,49556.8%Beats 54%C
2.5 Diesel2,22654.1%Beats 51%C
1998 Mazda Bongo1 engine47.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2,47547.8%Beats 22%D
1997 Mazda Bongo1 engine48.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel5,81948.5%Beats 23%D
1996 Mazda Bongo1 engine46.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel7,59246.7%Beats 15%E
1995 Mazda Bongo1 engine46.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel7,08446.8%Beats 14%E

FAQ

What is the Mazda Bongo MOT pass rate?

53.7% of MOT tests on the Mazda Bongo were passed first time, based on 65,541 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1995–2016. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 55.5% of the time.

Is the Mazda Bongo reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 44% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mazda Bongo year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2003 Bongo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 91% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mazda Bongo?

The most common failure items are component mounting prescribed areas, rear fog light, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 4.1× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.