Used car guide

2001 Mazda Bongo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Mazda Bongos, from 542 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

542MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,200typical miles a year
5.9×the usual rate for rear fog light

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Mazda Bongos than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Rear fog light5.9× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    10.7% All 2001 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 1.7% of all 2001 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)2.7× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    8.7% All 2001 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 3.1% of all 2001 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    8.7% All 2001 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.3% of all 2001 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 5.9% here, against 14.7% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Mazda Bongo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    34% 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.

  • Brakes
    24% 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
    14% 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
    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 engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% 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.

Looking at a Mazda Bongo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005588Suspension 44%
2004515Suspension 37%
2002597Suspension 32%
2000501Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Mazda Bongos registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score