2005 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,627 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mazda Bongo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 68.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.3% in the 150k+ group versus 16.4% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 903 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.5% | 854 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 581 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 384 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 346 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 190 |
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 | 1,128 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 532 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 345 |
| 4 | Wipers | 283 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 278 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 262 |
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 | 31.0% | 1,434 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.9% | 1,291 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 906 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 834 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.3% | 799 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 656 |
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 | 213 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 568 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 939 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 872 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,004 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,516 | 34.8% |
| Petrol | 1,110 | 19.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,135 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 1,077 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 1,021 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 740 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 654 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Bongo
Before buying a 2005 Mazda Bongo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.6% 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 2005 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 4,627 2005 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by suspension (18.5%).
Does the 2005 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 30-60k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,627 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.