Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee reliable?

Based on MOT data from 132 vehicles, the 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda Bongo Friendee (2002)

132 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84% first-time pass rate

2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee

CarHunch analysed 132 real MOT records for the 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.

On this page

Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 132 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 2002 MAZDA BONGO (954 vehicles)

We have limited data for the 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these cars have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

84%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

14.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.05

Over 8.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

120k

Middle half: 87k–151k

For context

These stats describe 132 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 132 Mazda Bongo Friendee cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee

Based on MOT data from 132 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 14.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch →

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (92%)	121	84.7%	1.88

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

119,541

typical

86,891

low mileage

151,372

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee vehicles fall between 86,891 and 151,372 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 86,891 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 86,891–151,372 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendees sit.

⚠ Over 204,352 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee — Still on the Road

Almost all 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendees are still on the road.

Strong survival — 112 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.05

Avg failures per vehicle

9.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mazda Bongo Friendee: All Bongo Friendee years → Which year to buy? →

1995 1996 2001

Or browse all models: Mazda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee stacks up against a rival.

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