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R981 UKH

1997 Mazda Bongo

Silver Diesel 2498cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Oct 2026
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

191,371 mi
Last recorded191,371 miles
Recorded on14 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda Bongo131,832 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR981 UKH
MakeMazda
ModelBongo
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,498cc

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 11 fail
Pass 14 Oct 2025 191,371 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill and arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 8 Oct 2025 191,368 miles

Front Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak Broken away (8.2.2.1 (b))

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Broken away (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill and arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 1 Oct 2024 188,603 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2023 185,667 miles
Pass 11 Oct 2022 183,986 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2022 183,984 miles

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

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

Offside Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 14 Oct 2021 181,077 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2021 181,068 miles

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

Pass 8 Oct 2020 178,915 miles

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

corrosion starting

Fail 1 Oct 2020 178,910 miles

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

corrosion starting

Pass 18 Apr 2019 173,461 miles

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Bald on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 18 Apr 2019 173,456 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Bald on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 18 Apr 2018 169,256 miles

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

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

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

Fail 10 Apr 2018 169,200 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Feb 2017 166,461 miles

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

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

Fail 21 Feb 2017 166,458 miles

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

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Pass 23 Oct 2015 164,140 miles

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

Fail 22 Oct 2015 164,139 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Pass 29 Aug 2014 160,895 miles

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

Fail 27 Aug 2014 160,894 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

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

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 9 Sep 2013 158,746 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

Pass 6 Sep 2012 153,176 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 5 Sep 2011 148,494 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2011 148,494 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Pass 27 May 2011 148,107 miles

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

Fail 27 May 2011 148,107 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

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

Pass 19 Apr 2010 132,843 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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R981 UKH is a 1997 Mazda Bongo in Silver with a 2,498cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

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 R981 UKH, 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 R981 UKH?

You can check the full history of R981 UKH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R981 UKH registered?

R981 UKH is a 1997 Mazda Bongo, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R981 UKH safe to buy?

The MOT history for R981 UKH shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R981 UKH 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 R981 UKH. 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.