2019 Mazda Bongo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Mazda Bongo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Mazda Bongo than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Headlights18× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  14.4% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.7% of all 2019 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.

• Rear fog light58.5× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  11.7% All 2019 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 0.1% of all 2019 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.

• Engine oil leaks13.5× usual
  Mazda Bongo

  8.1% All 2019 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2019 Mazda Bongo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 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
  28% 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
  25% 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
  22% 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
  10% 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
  9% 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 2019 Mazda Bongo

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

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 18× as often on the 2019 Mazda Bongo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 58.5× as often on the 2019 Mazda Bongo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 13.5× as often on the 2019 Mazda Bongo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?