Used car guide

2002 Mazda Bongo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Mazda Bongos, from 597 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

597MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,400typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Mazda Bongos than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.7× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    8.2% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 2.9% of all 2002 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.

  • Rear fog light4× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    6.4% All 2002 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 1.5% of all 2002 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 7% here, against 16.2% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Mazda Bongo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    30% 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
    17% 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
    13% 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
    11% 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.

Looking at a Mazda Bongo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005588Suspension 44%
2004515Suspension 37%
2001542Lights and electrics 36%
2000501Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Mazda Bongos registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score