Used car guide

2003 Mazda Bongo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Mazda Bongos, from 380 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 380 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

380MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,700typical miles a year
6.8×the usual rate for rear fog light

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Mazda Bongos than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Rear fog light6.8× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    11.6% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 1.6% of all 2003 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
    Mazda Bongo
    13.4% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 3.2% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 6.8% here, against 17.4% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 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
    36% 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
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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
    18% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% 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.

Looking at a Mazda Bongo?

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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%
2002597Suspension 32%
2001542Lights and electrics 36%
2000501Suspension 38%
1999529Suspension 44%
1998365Suspension 48%
1997552Suspension 51%
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 2003 Mazda Bongos registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score