2004 Mazda Bongo/Friendee — MOT failures & pass rate
342 MOT tests on the 2004 Mazda Bongo/Friendee are in this dataset, and 86.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Bongo/Friendee comes out 13.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.0% of all tests — 7.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 19 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 30-60k band and 25.4% in the 150k+ band, a 20.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 17.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.5% in 2021 to 11.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 48 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 21 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 14 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.8% | 13 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 18 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 15 |
| 4 | Wipers | 12 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 11 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.8% | 61 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.6% | 50 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 39 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 38 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 38 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.5% | 29 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 41 | 4.9% |
| 60-90k | 87 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 10.8% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 15.5% |
| 150k+ | 67 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 261 | 9.2% |
| Diesel | 81 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 56 | 8.9% |
| 2023 | 66 | 15.2% |
| 2024 | 78 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 89 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Bongo/Friendee
On a 2004 Bongo/Friendee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Mazda Bongo/Friendees pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 342 2004 Mazda Bongo/Friendee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mazda Bongo/Friendee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.1%).
Does the 2004 Bongo/Friendee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 30-60k band to 25.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 342 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.