2016 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
2,426 MOT tests on the 2016 Mazda Bongo are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 14.8% of the time, so this is 12.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.1% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 180 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 414 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.5% | 279 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 173 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 153 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.8% | 140 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 139 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 180 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 171 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 146 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 141 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 137 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 120 |
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 | 24.7% | 600 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.9% | 555 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.1% | 415 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 411 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 376 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 220 |
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 | 160 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 646 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 623 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 469 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 526 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,972 | 26.5% |
| Diesel | 454 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 561 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 546 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 560 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 382 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 377 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Bongo
On a 2016 Bongo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.5% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (7.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2016 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 2,426 2016 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.5%).
Does the 2016 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,426 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.