MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Mazda Bongo fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The Mazda Bongo records 56.06 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 25.52 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+30.54, 95% interval +29.97 to +31.11). It ranks 5 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mazda Bongo by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda Bongo is “The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired”, recorded 15,938 times in 2019–2024.

Mazda Bongo: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired15,93824.00
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7,49611.29
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated5,4658.23
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc5,4318.18
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is so weakened that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected6180.93

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 66,406 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

If a Mazda Bongo gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

33.9% of Mazda Bongo MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 3,752 miles later (11,743 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 11,743 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Mazda Bongo 1998 · Mazda Bongo 1999 · Mazda Bongo 2000 · Mazda Bongo 2001 · Mazda Bongo 2002 · Mazda Bongo 2003 · Mazda Bongo 2004 · Mazda Bongo 2005 · Mazda Bongo 2006 · Mazda Bongo 2007 · Mazda Bongo 2008 · Mazda Bongo 2009 · Mazda Bongo 2010 · Mazda Bongo 2011 · Mazda Bongo 2012 · Mazda Bongo 2013 · Mazda Bongo 2014 · Mazda Bongo 2015 · Mazda Bongo 2016 · Mazda Bongo 2017 · Mazda Bongo 2018 · Mazda Bongo by postcode area · Mazda Bongo body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda Bongo brakes failures · Mazda Bongo vehicle identification failures · Mazda Bongo lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda Bongo noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda Bongo road wheels failures · Mazda Bongo seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda Bongo steering failures · Mazda Bongo tyres failures · Mazda Bongo visibility failures