2012 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,071 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Mazda Bongo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 68.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (80.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.8% in the 150k+ group versus 27.9% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 393 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 351 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 207 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 186 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 163 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 117 |
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 | 327 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 162 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 160 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 159 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 131 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 111 |
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 | 30.6% | 633 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.2% | 502 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.8% | 410 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 381 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.1% | 334 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 328 |
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 | 244 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 414 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 510 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 888 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,219 | 31.3% |
| Diesel | 852 | 31.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 528 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 504 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 475 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 295 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 269 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Bongo
Before buying a 2012 Mazda Bongo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests for this year.
- 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 (17.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.0% 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 2012 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 2,071 2012 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2012 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.9% in the 60-90k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,071 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.