CarVerify

Free Car Check

R344 LBX

1997 Mazda Bongo

White Diesel 2500cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Jul 2027
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

143,176 mi
Last recorded143,176 miles
Recorded on8 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda Bongo131,832 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 £14.99

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

RegistrationR344 LBX
MakeMazda
ModelBongo
Year1997
ColourWhite
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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 8 Jul 2026 143,176 miles

BOTH INNER SILLS CORRODED AND HOLED

BRAKE PEDAL RUBBER WORN

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

Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS CORRODED

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

METAL BRAKE PIPES ARE CORRODED

OFFSIDE AND NEAR SIDE INNER SILL/WHEEL ARCH CORRODED AND HOLED BUT NOT WITHIN A PRESCRIBED AREA

OFFSIDE FRONT WISHBONE HAS SURFACE CORROSION

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

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

WIPERS PERISHED BUT STILL CLEARING THE SCREEN

Pass 9 Jul 2025 142,772 miles

BOTH INNER AND OUTTER SILLS CORRODED

FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS HAVE SURFACE CORROSION

SLIGHT BLOW FROM CENTRE EXHAUST SECTION

Pass 12 Jul 2024 141,691 miles

BOTH SILLS ARE CORRODED AND HOLED BUT NOT IN A PRESCRIBED AREA

FRONT SUBFRAME AND MOUNTING POINTS CORRODED

OFFSDIE REAR WHEEL IS SLIGHTLY BINDING

OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM CORRODED

REAR SUSPENSION COMPONANTS AND MOUNTING POINTS CORRODED

Pass 27 Jun 2023 141,573 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All. (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes heavily covered in wax oil. (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded all 4 coil springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

underside of vehicle heavily covered in wax oil, making it hard to inspect!

Fail 12 May 2023 141,572 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (hole in wheel arch) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Electrical wiring insulation in such a condition there is an imminent risk of fire or formation of sparks (under bonnet by loose battery) (4.11 (c) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 215 65r16c (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (all) (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (all brake pipes heavily covered in wax oil) (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded (all 4 coil springs) (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front wheel trim missing

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

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

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

under side of vehicle heavily corroded and covered in under seal, making it hard to inspect

Pass 18 May 2022 136,139 miles

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

Pass 19 Nov 2021 136,099 miles

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

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

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

Fail 18 Nov 2021 136,099 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Sep 2020 136,089 miles

Offside Rear Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

Fail 30 Jul 2020 136,063 miles

Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill look for yellow marks (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill look for yellow marks (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill look for yellow marks (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill look for yellow marks (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Coolant leak

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases FLEXY (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2019 135,424 miles
Fail 25 Jul 2019 135,424 miles

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) showing white light to the rear (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 12 Sep 2017 134,207 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 26 Jan 2017 133,959 miles
Fail 23 Jan 2017 133,840 miles

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

Fail 9 Jan 2017 133,348 miles

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jan 2016 125,641 miles

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both (2.4.G.2)

Pass 14 Jan 2015 118,818 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

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

Fail 5 Jan 2015 118,639 miles

Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

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

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

Nail in nearside front tyre

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

Pass 20 Jan 2014 112,293 miles

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

Fail 11 Jan 2014 112,164 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 5 Jan 2013 106,605 miles
Pass 18 Jan 2012 100,038 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2012 99,915 miles

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

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2011 93,333 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

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

R344 LBX is a 1997 Mazda Bongo in White with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1997 Mazda Bongo models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.3% with a typical mileage of 131,832 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 R344 LBX, 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 29 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 R344 LBX?

You can check the full history of R344 LBX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R344 LBX registered?

R344 LBX is a 1997 Mazda Bongo, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R344 LBX safe to buy?

The MOT history for R344 LBX shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R344 LBX 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 R344 LBX. 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.