2018 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
1,014 MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda Bongo are in this dataset, and 76.7% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 12.0% of the time, so this is 11.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.9% of all tests — 9.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, wipers and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 68 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 Bongo fails 21.6% of the time in the 30-60k band and 23.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 171 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 72 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.6% | 67 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.5% | 56 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 50 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 32 |
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 | 68 |
| 2 | Wipers | 67 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 62 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 43 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 41 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 40 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.8% | 211 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 204 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.0% | 162 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 136 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 107 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.2% | 63 |
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 | 97 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 348 | 21.0% |
| 90-120k | 291 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 184 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 86 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 911 | 22.7% |
| Diesel | 90 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 219 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 226 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 226 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 172 | 23.8% |
| 2025 | 171 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Bongo
On a 2018 Bongo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
- Visibility (6.6% 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 2018 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 1,014 2018 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2018 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 30-60k band to 23.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,014 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.