CarVerify

Free Car Check

MXZ 4974

1997 Mazda Bongo Friendee

Orange Diesel 2500cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Mar 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

240,687 mi
Last recorded240,687 miles
Recorded on4 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda Bongo Friendee125,334 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationMXZ 4974
MakeMazda
ModelBongo Friendee
Year1997
ColourOrange
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,500cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 4 Mar 2026 240,687 miles

Underside corroded and weak in places

Exhaust corroded in places

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Feb 2025 233,945 miles

Exhaust System Corroded In Places

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Rack Boot (2.1.5 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Under Side Corroded And Weak In Places

Pass 2 Mar 2024 227,533 miles

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded both rears (5.3.1 (b) (i))

underside corroded and weak in places

Pass 25 Feb 2023 223,927 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre tread cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin all rears (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Coil spring corroded both rears (5.3.1 (b) (i))

underside corroded and weak in places

Pass 6 Jan 2022 220,540 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Underside corroded in places

Fail 18 Dec 2021 220,539 miles

Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced as marked (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength as marked (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre tread cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre tread cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin all rears (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Coil spring corroded both rears (5.3.1 (b) (i))

underside corroded in places

Pass 3 Dec 2020 218,019 miles

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 3 Dec 2020 218,019 miles

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 5 Jun 2019 214,879 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 22 May 2019 214,872 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Jun 2018 209,765 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 29 May 2018 209,765 miles

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users power steering (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Power steering inoperative and steering adversely affected (2.1.5 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Jun 2017 205,046 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 21 Apr 2016 198,599 miles

Underside of vehicle showing signs of corrosion

Fail 18 Apr 2016 198,568 miles

Nearside Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outrigger (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Underside of vehicle showing signs of corrosion

Pass 31 Jul 2014 194,604 miles

Centre Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak

high level brake light not working

Fail 24 Jul 2014 194,597 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

Offside Front brake caliper securing device excessively deteriorated (3.5.1j) DANGEROUS

Centre Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak

high level brake light not working

Pass 23 Jul 2013 191,725 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front tyres worn on edges.

Oil leak

Fail 22 Jul 2013 191,725 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure (1.4.A.2b)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front tyres are wider section than rear. same size tyres on the same axles.

Front tyres worn on edges.

Oil leak

Pass 25 Jul 2012 186,667 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2012 186,667 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 13 Apr 2011 178,843 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 21 Apr 2010 170,768 miles
Pass 12 Feb 2009 162,868 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 11 Mar 2008 149,865 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Pass 29 Jan 2007 126,696 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

How Reliable is the Mazda Bongo Friendee?

Based on 13,340 MOT tests across 1,062 vehicles.

70.6%
Pass Rate
4,903
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
1,062
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

fog lamp not working 259
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 250
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 227
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 198
Stop lamp not working 162
Full Mazda Bongo Friendee reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

MXZ 4974 is a 1997 Mazda Bongo Friendee in Orange with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1997 Mazda Bongo Friendee models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 125,334 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mazda Bongo Friendee fails its MOT is fog lamp not working, accounting for 259 recorded failures. If you're considering buying MXZ 4974, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mazda Bongo Friendee typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this Mazda Bongo Friendee is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of MXZ 4974?

You can check the full history of MXZ 4974 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MXZ 4974 registered?

MXZ 4974 is a 1997 Mazda Bongo Friendee, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is MXZ 4974 safe to buy?

The MOT history for MXZ 4974 shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MXZ 4974 have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on MXZ 4974. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.