Used car guide

1997 Mazda Bongo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Mazda Bongos, from 552 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

552MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Mazda Bongos than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.5× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    20.3% All 1997 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 15.8%, against 4.3% of all 1997 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.

  • Rear fog light5× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    10.9% All 1997 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 2.1% of all 1997 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.

  • Headlights2.9× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    12.3% All 1997 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.4% of all 1997 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.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.4× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    12.9% All 1997 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.6% of all 1997 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.

  • Brake pads2.7× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    10.7% All 1997 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 1997 Mazda Bongo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    40% 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
    36% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020110Lights and electrics 31%
2019103Suspension 36%
2018150Lights and electrics 35%
2017191Suspension 41%
2016300Suspension 42%
2015332Suspension 47%
2014337Suspension 49%
2013266Suspension 48%
2012221Suspension 48%
2011270Suspension 54%
2010292Suspension 51%
2009271Suspension 55%
2008332Suspension 59%
2007445Suspension 48%
2006474Suspension 49%
2005588Suspension 44%
2004515Suspension 37%
2003380Lights and electrics 36%
2002597Suspension 32%
2001542Lights and electrics 36%
2000501Suspension 38%
1999529Suspension 44%
1998365Suspension 48%
1996581Suspension 56%
1995478Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Mazda Bongos registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score