2011 Mazda Bongo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings15.2× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  15.2% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 0.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)14× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  14% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.8%, against 1% of all 2011 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.

• Rear fog light12.9× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  10.3% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 0.7% of all 2011 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 system2.5× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  14.3% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Body structure rust or damage14× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  8.4% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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
  39% 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
  35% 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
  27% 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
  22% 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.

• Rust and bodywork
  19% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 15.2× as often on the 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 14× as often on the 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 12.9× as often on the 2011 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?