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S278 VWJ

1998 Mazda Bongo

White Petrol 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Feb 2027
Tests16 (12 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

142,690 mi
Last recorded142,690 miles
Recorded on5 Feb 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda Bongo125,789 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS278 VWJ
MakeMazda
ModelBongo
Year1998
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,495cc

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

12 pass 4 fail
Pass 5 Feb 2026 142,690 miles

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

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front fog light not working

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

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

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

Fail 3 Feb 2026 142,682 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front fog light not working

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

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2024 135,391 miles

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

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

Nearside Front inop

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

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

advise both rear arches corrodedfront suspesion arms corroded , sills under sealed

advise oil leak ,smell of fuel at some points in the test no leaks found at time of test.

advise rear exhaust box repaired

Fail 12 Nov 2024 135,387 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill into rear arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area so inadequately repaired that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected sill (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Front inop

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

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

advise both rear arches corroded,n/s/ and o/s sills corroded,o/s/r inner arch corroded,front suspension arms corroded.

advise oil leak ,smell of fuel at some points in the test no leaks found at time of test.

Pass 11 Oct 2023 133,918 miles

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge All Tyres (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 18 Oct 2022 131,310 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive coolant (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Brake disc worn, but not excessively brake disc has only 50% brake pad contact (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge is at 2.28 mm legal limit is 1.60mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 17 Oct 2022 131,300 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive coolant (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Brake disc worn, but not excessively brake disc has only 50% brake pad contact (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge is at 2.28 mm legal limit is 1.60mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 11 Oct 2021 125,878 miles

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective Lens deteriorated/cloudy (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective Lens deteriorated/cloudy (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.6mm tread (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 24 Aug 2020 119,306 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2019 116,719 miles

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

Fail 16 Sep 2019 116,719 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 10 Sep 2018 113,099 miles

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

Pass 6 Sep 2017 110,183 miles

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

Pass 8 Sep 2016 102,995 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened inner face (3.5.1i)

Offside Front tyre, worn unevenly on inner edge

Pass 19 Aug 2015 88,467 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2014 80,921 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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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.

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S278 VWJ is a 1998 Mazda Bongo in White with a 2,495cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1998 Mazda Bongo models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.1% with a typical mileage of 125,789 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 S278 VWJ, 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 28 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 S278 VWJ?

You can check the full history of S278 VWJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S278 VWJ registered?

S278 VWJ is a 1998 Mazda Bongo, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is S278 VWJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for S278 VWJ shows 16 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S278 VWJ 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 S278 VWJ. 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.