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N23 VLJ

1996 Mazda Bongo

Turquoise Diesel 2800cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 May 2027
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

107,327 mi
Last recorded107,327 miles
Recorded on26 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Mazda Bongo133,482 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN23 VLJ
MakeMazda
ModelBongo
Year1996
ColourTurquoise
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,800cc

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

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 26 May 2026 107,327 miles

Nearside Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

underside of vehicle heavily corroded

Fail 26 May 2026 107,327 miles

underside of vehicle heavily corroded

Nearside Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2025 107,017 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear undersill corroded

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear undersill corroded

Rear axle heavily corroded

Pass 30 Apr 2024 105,478 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

head lights misted

under side generally corroding

Fail 29 Apr 2024 105,476 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

head lights misted

under side generally corroding

Pass 25 May 2023 103,735 miles

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

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

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

front headlights misted

underside generally corroding

Fail 18 May 2023 103,733 miles

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

front headlights misted

underside generally corroding

Pass 26 May 2022 101,343 miles
Fail 24 May 2022 101,338 miles

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

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced front crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both d bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both front inners (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 21 May 2021 98,391 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases and corroded, centre flexi pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear parking brake poor effort

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

front crossmember corroded

front headlights misted

Fail 7 May 2021 98,389 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases and corroded, centre flexi pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear parking brake poor effort

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

front crossmember corroded

front headlights misted

Fail 9 Dec 2020 98,573 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier both (4.13 (a) (i))

Coolant leak

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

front cross member corroded

front headlights misted

Pass 28 Nov 2019 96,444 miles
Fail 13 Nov 2019 96,416 miles

Nearside Front Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner and outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner and outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system leaking at brake caliper (1.1.12 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Oct 2018 95,495 miles

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 20 Sep 2018 95,493 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 26 Jul 2017 94,597 miles
Pass 26 Aug 2016 93,750 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 16 Aug 2016 93,750 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 29 Jul 2015 92,703 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2015 92,699 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Pass 7 Jul 2014 91,612 miles

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

Fail 23 Jun 2014 91,611 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 8 Jul 2013 91,329 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2012 85,123 miles

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

Fail 2 Jul 2012 85,118 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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 Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Pass 5 May 2011 83,185 miles
Fail 28 Apr 2011 83,185 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 8 May 2010 80,669 miles
Fail 4 May 2010 80,668 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

both rear tyres starting to crack

Pass 2 May 2009 65,798 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Apr 2008 73,909 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp slightly discoloured (1.3.2e)

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 26 Apr 2007 57,077 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2006 36,242 miles

How Reliable is the Mazda Bongo?

Based on 251,584 MOT tests across 14,362 vehicles.

67.3%
Pass Rate
5,064
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
14,362
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

fog lamp not working 6,854
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 6,786
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 6,443
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 5,607
Registration plate lamp not working 3,890
Full Mazda Bongo reliability report

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N23 VLJ is a 1996 Mazda Bongo in Turquoise with a 2,800cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 1996 Mazda Bongo models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.9% with a typical mileage of 133,482 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mazda Bongo fails its MOT is fog lamp not working, accounting for 6,854 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N23 VLJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mazda Bongo typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 30 years old, this Mazda Bongo is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N23 VLJ?

You can check the full history of N23 VLJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N23 VLJ registered?

N23 VLJ is a 1996 Mazda Bongo, first registered on 1 July 1996.

Is N23 VLJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for N23 VLJ shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N23 VLJ 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 N23 VLJ. 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.