1999 Mazda Bongo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol than on all cars registered in 1999.

• Rear fog light4.9× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  9.3% All 1999 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 1.9% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.3× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  10.7% All 1999 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 4.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Headlights1.9× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  11.9% All 1999 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.9% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  8.4% All 1999 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  5.4% All 1999 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  36% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  28% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Tyres
  18% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 1999 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?