2016 Mazda Bongo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Headlights10× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  14% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.3% of all 2016 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.

• Engine oil leaks6.7× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  13.4% All 2016 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Rear fog light23.5× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  9.4% All 2016 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 0.3% of all 2016 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.

• Ball joint dust cover7.8× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  9.3% All 2016 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)18.8× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  7.5% All 2016 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  34% 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
  27% 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.

• Tyres
  20% 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
  16% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 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 headlights? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 23.5× as often on the 2016 Mazda Bongo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?