Ford Bongo
From 217 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are 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 repaired, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced. The top issue, 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 repaired, caused 40 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| 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 repaired | 40 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 19 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 16 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 16 |
| 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 functioning | 13 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 11 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 11 |
| lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 8 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 7 |
| body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 6 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 38.1% of Bongo failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 15.6% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £173.
Typical mileage
Half of all Bongos tested had between 128,944 and 185,281 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 143,970 median miles, the Bongo has 0.024 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Ford models
| Ford Fiesta | 72.9% |
| Ford Focus | 74.7% |
| Ford Transit | 70.4% |
| Ford Kuga | 82.2% |
| Ford Mondeo | 73.8% |
Common questions
What is the Ford Bongo MOT pass rate?
The Ford Bongo has a 65.4% MOT pass rate based on 217 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Bongo?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Bongo is 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 repaired, which caused 40 failures. Other common issues include a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Bongo at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Bongo is 143,970 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 128,944 and 185,281 miles.
Buying a used Bongo?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 65.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £173 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 38.1% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.