Used car guide

2021 Mazda Bongo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mazda Bongo first registered in 2021 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 152 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 152 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

152MOTs of 2021 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
69%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
24,800typical miles a year
29%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2021 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Mazda Bongo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% 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
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    16% 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.

  • Tyres
    13% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% 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 2021 Mazda Bongo petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda Bongo?

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Other years

Every year of the Mazda Bongo compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020352Lights and electrics 31%
2019361Lights and electrics 36%
2018476Lights and electrics 34%
2017674Suspension 38%
20161,065Suspension 40%
20151,159Suspension 40%
20141,185Suspension 46%
2013993Suspension 45%
2012858Suspension 47%
20111,005Suspension 50%
20101,177Suspension 49%
20091,061Suspension 52%
20081,416Suspension 53%
20071,825Suspension 50%
20061,793Suspension 51%
20052,116Suspension 44%
20041,638Suspension 39%
20031,125Suspension 34%
20021,534Suspension 33%
20011,394Lights and electrics 38%
20001,310Suspension 36%
19991,306Suspension 40%
1998874Suspension 47%
19971,313Suspension 52%
19961,397Suspension 53%
19951,131Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda Bongo cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score