2011 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
2,449 MOT tests on the 2011 Mazda Bongo are in this dataset, and 65.9% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 23.9% of the time, so this is 10.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.0%) and suspension (18.4%) 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, rear fog lamp and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 459 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 28.0% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 36.4% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 33.8% of the time against 34.5% for petrol.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 34.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 465 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 451 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 267 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.3% | 253 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 190 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.2% | 176 |
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 | 459 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 177 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 176 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 170 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 167 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 156 |
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 | 31.1% | 762 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.3% | 619 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 451 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.5% | 428 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 410 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 390 |
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 | 225 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 553 | 35.3% |
| 120-150k | 467 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,181 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,338 | 34.5% |
| Diesel | 1,108 | 33.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 630 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 601 | 32.6% |
| 2023 | 555 | 34.9% |
| 2024 | 341 | 33.1% |
| 2025 | 322 | 36.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Bongo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.4% 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 (10.9% 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 2011 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
65.9% of the 2,449 2011 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (18.4%).
Does the 2011 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.0% in the 60-90k band to 36.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,449 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.