2002 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,395 MOT tests, the 2002 Mazda Bongo recorded a 75.2% pass rate. That is 4.7 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 29.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests against 11.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 198 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.0% in the 30-60k band and 31.7% in the 150k+ band, a 15.7-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 396 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 264 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 180 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.0% | 145 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 129 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 121 |
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 | 198 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 197 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 170 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 145 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 120 |
| 6 | Wipers | 118 |
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 | 25.3% | 606 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.5% | 516 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 414 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 385 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 275 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 214 |
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 | 313 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 618 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 612 | 23.7% |
| 120-150k | 415 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 423 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,114 | 24.2% |
| Diesel | 277 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 358 | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 372 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 398 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 629 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 638 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Bongo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.0% 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 (7.5% 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 2002 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 2,395 2002 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 2002 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,395 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.