2017 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,496 MOT tests, the 2017 Mazda Bongo recorded a 75.1% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (13.2% fail rate), the 2017 Bongo comes out 11.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests against 10.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 101 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 Bongo fails 21.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 24.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 240 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 153 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.9% | 103 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 87 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.8% | 87 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 101 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 96 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 89 |
| 4 | Wipers | 83 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 56 |
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 | 23.5% | 352 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.7% | 340 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 265 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.5% | 262 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 169 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 99 |
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 | 141 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 434 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 392 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 291 | 26.1% |
| 150k+ | 236 | 24.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,246 | 25.0% |
| Diesel | 250 | 24.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 330 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 346 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 347 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 245 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 228 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Bongo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Visibility (6.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2017 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 1,496 2017 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.2%).
Does the 2017 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 24.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,496 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.