CarVerify

Free Car Check

N288 FHL

2003 Mazda Bongo

Black Diesel 2490cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Jul 2026
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

136,272 mi
Last recorded136,272 miles
Recorded on3 Jul 2025
Typical for 2003 Mazda Bongo124,847 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN288 FHL
MakeMazda
ModelBongo
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,490cc

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 3 Jul 2025 136,272 miles

Both sill of vehicle have corrosion

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

Coolant leak ()

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both rear (5.3.2 (c))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both rear (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Jul 2024 135,548 miles

both rear inner arches corded

Pass 27 Jul 2023 134,490 miles

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

gearbox steel pipes corroded

Fail 26 Jul 2023 134,490 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

gearbox steel pipes corroded

Pass 27 Jul 2022 133,234 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 22 Jul 2022 133,175 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 29 Jun 2021 131,798 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

OSR NSR inner wigs rusty

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 28 Jun 2021 131,798 miles

Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

OSR NSR inner wigs rusty

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 2 Jul 2020 130,863 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

various areas of light corrosion to underside, structural integrity sound at time of test

Pass 3 Jul 2019 129,793 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

coolant pipes corroded

Fail 24 Jun 2019 129,793 miles

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected sill (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected sill (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

coolant pipes corroded

Pass 28 Jun 2018 128,227 miles

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/valve stem damaged (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/valve stem damaged (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear inner wheel arch rear corroded

Pass 21 Jun 2017 126,208 miles

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

Fail 21 Jun 2017 126,208 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 8 Feb 2016 123,805 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Jan 2016 123,795 miles

Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion wing (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt top (2.4.G.2)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Pass 21 Jan 2015 120,152 miles

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Pass 30 Jan 2014 118,470 miles

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Fail 27 Jan 2014 118,465 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Pass 12 Feb 2013 118,099 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Fail 4 Feb 2013 118,077 miles

Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Pass 18 Jan 2012 11,428 miles
Fail 18 Jan 2012 11,428 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 1 Feb 2011 106,376 miles
Fail 26 Jan 2011 106,376 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 18 Jan 2010 98,773 miles

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

Fail 18 Jan 2010 98,733 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Feb 2009 94,364 miles

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

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

offside front brake binding

play in nearside and offside rear anti-roll bar link bushes

play in nearside rear anti-roll bar bush

Fail 28 Jan 2009 94,355 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

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

offside front brake binding

play in nearside and offside rear anti-roll bar link bushes

play in nearside rear anti-roll bar bush

Pass 16 Nov 2007 88,463 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2007 88,463 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 4 Dec 2006 80,795 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2005 71,577 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2005 71,577 miles

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

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

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

N288 FHL is a 2003 Mazda Bongo in Black with a 2,490cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 2003 Mazda Bongo models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.1% with a typical mileage of 124,847 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 N288 FHL, 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 23 years old, this Mazda Bongo is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N288 FHL?

You can check the full history of N288 FHL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N288 FHL registered?

N288 FHL is a 2003 Mazda Bongo, first registered on 1 August 2003.

Is N288 FHL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N288 FHL 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 N288 FHL 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 N288 FHL. 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.