2020 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
603 MOT tests on the 2020 Mazda Bongo are in this dataset, and 79.3% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), the 2020 Bongo comes out 9.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 6.3% 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 51 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.7% once past 120-150k — 2.3× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 96 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 38 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.3% | 26 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 25 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 13 |
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 | 51 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 4 | Wipers | 25 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 22 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.2% | 116 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.4% | 111 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.1% | 97 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 86 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 64 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 49 |
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 | 93 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 268 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 141 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 75 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 132 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 138 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 106 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 97 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Bongo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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 (5.0% 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 2020 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
79.3% of the 603 2020 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2020 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 30-60k band to 26.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 603 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.