Mazda Bongo Friendee Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda Bongo Friendee car check
Is the Mazda Bongo Friendee reliable? We analysed 13,340 real MOT tests across 1,062 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda Bongo Friendee? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda Bongo Friendee is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda Bongo Friendee.
Mazda Bongo Friendee Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda Bongo Friendee. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda Bongo Friendee to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda Bongo Friendee Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda Bongo Friendee fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda Bongo Friendee Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda Bongo Friendee owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda Bongo Friendee year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 84.9% | 106,025 | 133,052 | 155,512 |
| 2020 | 200 | 85.0% | 104,754 | 146,001 | 178,565 |
| 2019 | 115 | 84.3% | 76,208 | 121,026 | 158,506 |
| 2018 | 83 | 89.2% | 77,251 | 101,043 | 136,172 |
| 2017 | 142 | 69.7% | 111,940 | 140,334 | 169,591 |
| 2016 | 239 | 78.2% | 79,452 | 123,528 | 142,621 |
| 2015 | 501 | 69.3% | 80,053 | 106,737 | 138,493 |
| 2014 | 444 | 66.4% | 100,870 | 124,184 | 158,268 |
| 2013 | 356 | 73.3% | 103,118 | 133,951 | 158,066 |
| 2012 | 340 | 65.3% | 109,642 | 139,636 | 166,508 |
| 2011 | 411 | 67.9% | 107,084 | 133,694 | 167,866 |
| 2010 | 311 | 66.6% | 103,317 | 125,474 | 166,062 |
| 2009 | 536 | 69.2% | 96,360 | 124,088 | 158,647 |
| 2008 | 456 | 68.4% | 111,741 | 148,548 | 175,482 |
| 2007 | 782 | 66.8% | 108,565 | 144,208 | 190,742 |
| 2006 | 750 | 71.2% | 94,252 | 123,308 | 159,943 |
| 2005 | 1,163 | 70.2% | 96,342 | 127,194 | 168,649 |
| 2004 | 871 | 74.7% | 95,920 | 129,081 | 163,600 |
| 2003 | 609 | 76.8% | 89,039 | 122,473 | 158,600 |
| 2002 | 612 | 80.1% | 95,827 | 131,844 | 168,975 |
How Long Does a Mazda Bongo Friendee Last?
Based on 1,062 Mazda Bongo Friendee vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda Bongo Friendee Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda Bongo Friendee MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda Bongo Friendee
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.2% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
63.8% MOT pass rate from 503 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda Bongo Friendee is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.2% across 83 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda Bongo Friendee Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda Bongo Friendee THIS CAR | 70.6% | 13,340 | 130,446 mi | 31 yrs |
| Mazda MX-5 | 76.5% | 2,502,760 | 63,190 mi | 36 yrs |
| Mazda 3 | 77.5% | 2,040,939 | 61,041 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mazda 6 | 75.4% | 1,904,140 | 77,387 mi | 24 yrs |
| Citroen Cx | 68.8% | 5,742 | 91,378 mi | 50 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda Bongo Friendee trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda Bongo Friendee you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mazda Bongo FriendeeShould you buy a used Mazda Bongo Friendee?
The Mazda Bongo Friendee has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.6% across 13,340 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mazda Bongo Friendee are fog lamp not working (259 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (250), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (227). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mazda Bongo Friendee owner drives around 4,903 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mazda Bongo Friendee models stay on UK roads for around 31 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.