2004 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,309 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mazda Bongo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.0% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.8% in the 150k+ group versus 12.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 641 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 553 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 400 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 267 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 218 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.1% | 135 |
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 | 687 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 334 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 264 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 259 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 213 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 209 |
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 | 29.8% | 985 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.6% | 880 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 602 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.5% | 578 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 558 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 463 |
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 | 183 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 505 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 678 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 712 | 34.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,214 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,182 | 36.5% |
| Petrol | 1,123 | 20.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 785 | 34.0% |
| 2022 | 738 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 681 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 575 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 530 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Bongo
Before buying a 2004 Mazda Bongo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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 (12.1% 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 Bongos pass their MOT?
69.0% of the 3,309 2004 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2004 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 30-60k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,309 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.