2021 Mazda Bongo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 286 MOT tests, the 2021 Mazda Bongo recorded a 79.0% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (10.6% fail rate), the 2021 Bongo comes out 10.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.1% 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, position lamp and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.3% in the 30-60k band and 36.8% in the 150k+ band, a 22.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 21 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.9% | 14 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.1% | 9 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 12 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 6 | Wipers | 10 |
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 | 19.6% | 56 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.6% | 39 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 38 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.5% | 33 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 20 |
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 | 35 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 78 | 17.9% |
| 120-150k | 33 | 27.3% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 242 | 20.3% |
| Diesel | 44 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 64 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 61 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 49 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 43 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Bongo
On a 2021 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 (7.3% 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.
- Brakes (4.9% 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 2021 Mazda Bongos pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 286 2021 Mazda Bongo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda Bongo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 2021 Bongo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 30-60k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 286 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.