2019 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 712 MOT tests, the 2019 Mazda Bongo recorded a 77.3% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 11.1% of the time, so this is 11.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests against 6.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 66 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 29.3% versus 20.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 128 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.7% | 48 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 45 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 35 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 22 |
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 | 66 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 32 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 29 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 24 |
| 6 | Wipers | 18 |
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 | 19.9% | 142 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.4% | 131 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.0% | 121 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 96 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 56 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 48 |
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 | 64 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 269 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 160 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 96 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 116 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 632 | 22.5% |
| Diesel | 80 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 151 | 16.6% |
| 2022 | 165 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 171 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 115 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 110 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Bongo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.7% 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.
- Brakes (6.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2019 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
77.3% of the 712 2019 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.7%).
Does the 2019 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 30-60k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 712 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.