2009 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
2,588 MOT tests on the 2009 Mazda Bongo are in this dataset, and 65.5% of them passed. That is 7.6 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (20.1%) and lighting & signalling (19.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, integral vehicle structure condition and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 536 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Bongo fails 33.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 35.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.4 points.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.8pp more often than diesel ones (35.6% vs 33.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.1% | 519 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 504 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 358 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.7% | 277 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 179 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 171 |
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 | 536 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 275 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 206 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 196 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 171 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 144 |
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 | 36.8% | 953 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.0% | 750 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 570 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 511 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.1% | 493 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 482 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 218 | 33.0% |
| 90-120k | 478 | 35.1% |
| 120-150k | 640 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,218 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,709 | 33.8% |
| Petrol | 871 | 35.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 662 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 627 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 597 | 34.8% |
| 2024 | 369 | 35.0% |
| 2025 | 333 | 33.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Bongo
On a 2009 Bongo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (20.1% 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.
- 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.8% 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 2009 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
65.5% of the 2,588 2009 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mazda Bongo?
Suspension, recorded in 20.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (19.5%).
Does the 2009 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.0% in the 60-90k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,588 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.