2001 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Mazda Bongo passed 73.0% of its 2,232 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.5% of the time, so this is 2.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.2% of all tests — 7.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rear fog lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 202 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.9% versus 16.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 23.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 428 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.0% | 268 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 185 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.5% | 146 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 140 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 131 |
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 | 202 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 177 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 163 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 143 |
| 5 | Wipers | 126 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 121 |
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 | 23.3% | 520 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.5% | 479 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 419 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.5% | 368 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 254 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 187 |
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 | 251 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 623 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 563 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 346 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 441 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,997 | 26.5% |
| Diesel | 230 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 313 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 327 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 375 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 621 | 29.9% |
| 2025 | 596 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Bongo
On a 2001 Bongo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.0% 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 (8.3% 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 2001 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 2,232 2001 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.0%).
Does the 2001 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 30-60k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,232 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.