Mazda Bongo Friendee
From 1,272 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
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 91 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 | 91 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 59 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 46 |
| 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 | 38 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 38 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 32 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 28 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 28 |
| headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 24 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 24 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 33.6% of Bongo Friendee failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 15.2% 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 £155.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 74.3% while Diesel versions pass at 68.8%, a 6 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 75.7% | 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, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2004 | 88.3% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2002 | 78.3% | headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
Typical mileage
Half of all Bongo Friendees tested had between 88,167 and 138,178 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 109,005 median miles, the Bongo Friendee has 0.025 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mazda models
| Mazda 2 | 74.5% |
| Mazda 3 | 75.2% |
| Mazda MX-5 | 78.7% |
| Mazda 6 | 75.5% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 84.2% |
Common questions
What is the Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT pass rate?
The Mazda Bongo Friendee has a 73% MOT pass rate based on 1,272 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mazda Bongo Friendee?
The most common MOT failure on the Mazda Bongo Friendee 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 91 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 Mazda Bongo Friendee at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mazda Bongo Friendee is 109,005 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 88,167 and 138,178 miles.
Buying a used Bongo Friendee?
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 73% pass rate and an average repair bill of £155 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 33.6% 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.