Diesel Mazda Bongo: MOT pass rate

55.3% of diesel Mazda Bongos pass the MOT first time, measured across 4,756 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 150,523.

Diesel against the other Mazda Bongo versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Mazda Bongo specifically, petrol is the strongest at 63.2%, and this diesel version sits 3.8 points below the 59.1% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Mazda Bongo fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Mazda Bongo had covered 150,523 miles at test, against 114,915 for the petrol. That is very high mileage. Clutches, dual-mass flywheels and head gaskets have usually been through at least one repair by this point, so ask for evidence rather than assume the car is original everywhere.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mazda Bongo page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mazda Bongo

1. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 16.9% of tests (40.86x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 34.3% of tests (36.32x the national rate for this defect)
3. Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, 6.5% of tests (28.26x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 5.5% of tests (20.66x the national rate for this defect)
5. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 7.3% of tests (16.65x the national rate for this defect)
6. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.9% of tests (7.89x the national rate for this defect)
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5.9% of tests (5.66x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 10.1% of tests (5.51x the national rate for this defect)
9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.4% of tests (4.34x the national rate for this defect)
10. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 4.5% of tests (3.67x the national rate for this defect)

From 4,820 DVSA-tracked diesel Mazda Bongo tests, 2024, split out from the Mazda Bongo's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.4% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Mazda Bongo

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning, 4.5% of tests (18.64x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 20.4% of tests (16.36x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 15.9% of tests (10.45x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 26% of tests (4.68x the national rate for this defect)
5. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 4% of tests (3.58x the national rate for this defect)
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 14.9% of tests (3.16x the national rate for this defect)
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5.4% of tests (2.71x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 15.5% of tests (2.51x the national rate for this defect)
9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.5% of tests (2.28x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 26.3% of tests (1.96x the national rate for this defect)

From 4,820 DVSA-tracked diesel Mazda Bongo tests, 2024.

Other Mazda Bongo fuel types

• Petrol Mazda Bongo - 63.2%

All Mazda Bongo MOT data · Every model