2003 Mazda Bongo · 1,173 MOT tests
2003 Mazda Bongo reliability
2003 Mazda Bongos fail 40.7% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 17 Bongo years (1,173 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mazda Bongos: 45.3%)
- 40.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Mazda Bongos: 45.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 112,172
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,173
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 12.9% of tests fail here (33% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 53% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Mazda Bongo
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.8%
- Suspension20.8%
- Brakes13%
- Body, chassis and structure12.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8%
- Seat belts and airbags4.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 9.29%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Rear fog lamp not working 4.77%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Position lamp not working 4.18%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 3.67%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.58%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.41%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.06%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.16%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.97%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.8%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.71%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (5.37%)
Other years
Every Mazda Bongo year
The full picture: Mazda Bongo reliability. Before you pay for any Mazda Bongo, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Mazda Bongo reliable?
2003 Mazda Bongos fail 40.7% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 17 Bongo years (1,173 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Mazda Bongo MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (9.29% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (4.77% of tests), position lamp not working (4.18% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Mazda Bongo have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Mazda Bongo shows 112,172 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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