2005 Mazda Bongo MOT pass rate: 60.5% (1,860 tests)
Is the 2005 Bongo getting worse?
Pass rate of 2005-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58.8% -5.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 62.1% -2.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 61.4% -3.9 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2005 Bongo
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 929 | 29.6% |
| 2 | Body, chassis, structure | 649 | 20.6% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 644 | 20.5% |
| 4 | Brakes | 316 | 10.1% |
| 5 | Visibility | 168 | 5.3% |
| 6 | Steering | 133 | 4.2% |
All Bongo years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 (this page) | 1,860 | 60.5% | -4.0 pts | 127,429 |
| 2006 | 1,600 | 56.2% | -8.2 pts | 139,290 |
| 2007 | 1,684 | 54.6% | -10.5 pts | 145,994 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2005 Mazda Bongo reliable?
2005-registered examples passed 60.5% of their MOT tests (1,860 tests, 2023–2025), -4.0 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 21 years old with a median 127,429 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2005 Bongo?
The median tested example shows 127,429 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2005 Bongo?
In this cohort petrols pass 74.8% of tests against 53.7% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.