MPV and people carrier · 1996–2021 cars

Mazda Bongo reliability

The Mazda Bongo fails 45.3% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 31,164 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 36/100#35 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Mazda Bongo before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 45.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 16% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 31,164; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 16,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mazda Bongo ages

Each point is the share of Mazda Bongos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Mazda BongoAll cars

Mazda Bongo first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Mazda Bongo	All cars
3	31%	12.3%
4	37.7%	14.1%
5	36.5%	16.4%
6	39.1%	19.1%
7	43.2%	22.1%
8	43.2%	25.5%
9	48.3%	28.8%
10	46.6%	31.8%
11	49.4%	34.6%
12	49.5%	37.3%
13	52.8%	39.5%
14	49.3%	41.1%
15	52.2%	42.3%
16	50.1%	42.9%
17	49%	43.4%
18	45.2%	43.5%
19	42.9%	43.4%
20	35.2%	42.8%
21	35.9%	41.4%
22	40.9%	40.6%
23	35.9%	38.9%
24	41.9%	37.1%
25	45.6%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Mazda Bongo years

2002 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mazda Bongo MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019	384	34.9%	61% more fails	85,929
2018	565	35.8%	62% more fails	90,338
2017	869	38.9%	60% more fails	96,908
2016 Bongo	1,380	41.6%	56% more fails	102,900
2015 Bongo	1,469	41.9%	41% more fails	112,018
2014 Bongo	1,502	46.4%	44% more fails	114,149
2013 Bongo	1,285	46.9%	33% more fails	131,479
2012 Bongo	1,143	46.8%	25% more fails	134,933
2011 Bongo	1,362	51.7%	29% more fails	139,907
2010 Bongo	1,671	51.8%	24% more fails	135,487
2009 Bongo	1,445	51.5%	19% more fails	142,813
2008 Bongo	2,100	49.2%	11% more fails	148,298
2007 Bongo	2,595	52%	16% more fails	146,578
2006 Bongo	2,421	49.5%	10% more fails	139,235
2005 Bongo	2,607	47%	5% more fails	133,237
2004 Bongo	1,905	43.4%	2% fewer fails	126,821
2003 Bongo	1,173	40.7%	6% fewer fails	112,172
2002 Bongo	1,170	35.7%	14% fewer fails	92,784
2001 Bongo	1,069	37.7%	7% fewer fails	92,421
2000 Bongo	1,036	35.1%	12% fewer fails	100,055
1999	933	38.3%	1% fewer fails	105,899
1998	451	45.7%	19% more fails	117,828
1997	299	46.2%	18% more fails	135,256

Common problems

What fails most on a Mazda Bongo

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 89% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics24.3%31% above avg
Suspension21%40% above avg
Body, chassis and structure13.4%89% above avg
Brakes11.5%1% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.6%35% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%31% above avg
Steering4.4%23% above avg
Seat belts and airbags3.7%57% above avg
Tyres3.6%50% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 9.02% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
2
Rear fog lamp not working 5.8% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.75% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Position lamp not working 3.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.34% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
6
Stop lamp not working 3.03% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
7
Body structure corroded, rigidity reduced 2.93% of tests
Serious corrosion in the body structure weakens crash protection and handling, so specialist inspection is essential.
8
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.91% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda Bongo's MOT certificate most often.

Engine oil leak, not excessive12.86%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.28%
Tyre worn close to legal limit7.98%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.69%
Brake pads wearing thin6.95%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy5.79%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mazda Bongo

1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
2
Rear fog lamp not working
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda Bongo covers about 16,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel50.9%
Petrol48%
LPG1%
Other0%

Most common colours

Silver, White, Green, Grey, Black

Average engine size: 2.4 litres.

Compare

How the Mazda Bongo compares with its rivals

Mazda Bongo against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Toyota Alphard	23.2%	32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda FR-V	44.1%	about average for its age
Ford Tourneo Connect	21.1%	9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda Bongo	45.3%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 5	48.2%	22% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C4 Picasso	23.9%	25% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i800	37%	46% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Mazda models.

Questions

Mazda Bongo questions, answered

Is the Mazda Bongo reliable?

On MOT results, the Mazda Bongo is below average: it fails 45.3% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 35 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Mazda Bongo MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mazda Bongo are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (9.02% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (5.8% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.75% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 24.3% of its tests.

Which Mazda Bongo year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2002 cars do best (14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (56% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mazda Bongo do a year?

A typical Mazda Bongo covers about 16,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Mazda Bongo before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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