2000 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
2,158 MOT tests on the 2000 Mazda Bongo are in this dataset, and 72.7% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.8% fail rate), the 2000 Bongo comes out 2.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests against 12.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and rear fog lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 195 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.7% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 368 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.5% | 270 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 184 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 153 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 140 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 126 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 195 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 177 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 151 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 134 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 107 |
| 6 | Wipers | 105 |
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 | 25.7% | 554 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.2% | 480 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.0% | 367 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 341 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 255 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 235 |
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 | 162 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 539 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 559 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 399 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 484 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,734 | 26.5% |
| Diesel | 418 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 297 | 24.2% |
| 2022 | 298 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 330 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 648 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 585 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Bongo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.5% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2000 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 2,158 2000 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (12.5%).
Does the 2000 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 30-60k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,158 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.