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Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) (1995-2005) reliability

At a glance

Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) models built before 2000 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

36% of MOT tests on Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) models built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee)
poor reliability1995-2005VanDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 7,996 tests of Bongo models registered 1995-2005.

About 1 in 5 Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) MOTs (19.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,865 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) MOTs (6.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 3,865 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

3rd gen (R2 Friendee) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
46730.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
72231.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
59630.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
75328.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
82229.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
77131.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,86536.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

How the Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) compares

At each age below, see how the Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 21,573 tests across 4 Mazda models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMazda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
46730.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
72231.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
59630.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
75328.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
82229.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
77131.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,86536.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other vans to compare

Other vans, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Caravelle

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.9%

    Lower fail rate: 31.6%, against 36.1% for the Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee), both built before 2000.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,317 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Volkswagen Transporter

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 32.1%, against 36.1% for the Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee), both built before 2000.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    35,756 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Renault Trafic

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    35.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89%

    No clear edge over the Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,885 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Mazda Bongo name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

What has gone wrong on Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) cars built before 2000

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 301 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
85%
Bodywork
55%
Emissions
53%
Steering
27%
Drivetrain
23%

Wear items

Lighting
81%
Brakes
63%
Tyres
48%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 68% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) cars have aged

How Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%40%1618202224Age at MOTBuilt around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (499 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (473 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (402 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (368 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (279 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (354 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (313 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (283 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (244 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (222 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (185 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (175 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (180 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (120 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (123 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (149 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (151 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (176 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (185 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (174 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (132 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (154 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (169 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (186 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (152 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (105 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (86 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (100 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 34.2% (114 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 26.5% (113 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (110 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (151 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (98 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (98 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (73 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (63 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (54 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 37.7% (162 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 38.7% (137 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002
3rd gen (R2 Friendee) variants compared

Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) variants built before 2000

The fail rate for each Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • BONGO37.7%2,682 tests

Petrol

  • BONGO32.3%902 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mazda Bongos of this age

This list covers every Mazda Bongo built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    23.8%
    Advisory: 951Fail: 45 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    20.3%
    Advisory: 964Fail: 325 (25% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    17.7%
    Advisory: 607Fail: 948 (61% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Body structure corroded, but not seriously weakened

    16.4%
    Advisory: 832Fail: 429 (34% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.7%
    Advisory: 665Fail: 12 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,878 tests

Looking at a Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Mazda Bongo 3rd gen (R2 Friendee) (1995-2005) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,865 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 7,996 MOT tests on Mazda Bongos first registered between 1995-2005. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.