Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Mazda Bongo?

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 2006 Mazda Bongo?

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 2006 Mazda Bongo?

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.

How many 2006 Mazda Bongo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2006 Mazda Bongo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 153 vehicles, the 2006 Mazda Bongo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2006 Mazda Bongo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2006 Mazda Bongo are: Oil leak, but not excessive (62.1% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (25.6% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (23.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Mazda Bongo?

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 (2006)

153 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.9% first-time pass rate

2006 Mazda Bongo

CarHunch analysed 153 real MOT records for the 2006 Mazda Bongo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2006 Mazda Bongo falls slightly below the UK average with a 76.8% first-time MOT pass rate, but the bigger concern is that nearly 28% of these vans have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above the acceptable threshold—making pre-purchase inspection absolutely essential. Petrol models show a marginally better 77.1% pass rate, but this isn't a meaningful advantage.

These Bongos are averaging 107,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're returning 2.84 failures and 10.7 advisories per test on average, suggesting cumulative wear is catching up with the fleet. Expect to budget for multiple remedial items when you buy; check the full MOT history for patterns in what keeps failing, and specifically verify the structural and brake condition before committing.

We have limited data for the 2006 Mazda Bongo — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles 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

76.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

28.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.84

Over 10.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

102k

Middle half: 81k–132k

For context

These stats describe 153 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 153 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 62.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction · Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread

Brake wear 25.6%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 23.3%

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 13.5%

Rear fog lamp not working · Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 153 Mazda Bongo cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Mazda Bongo

Based on MOT data from 153 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 28.1% 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 (93%)	143	77.1%	2.67

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Mazda Bongo 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.

101,521

typical

81,066

low mileage

131,966

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Mazda Bongo vehicles fall between 81,066 and 131,966 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 81,066 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.

✓ 81,066–131,966 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Mazda Bongos sit.

⚠ Over 178,154 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Mazda Bongo — Still on the Road

Almost all 2006 Mazda Bongos are still on the road.

Strong survival — 127 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% 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

10.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.84

Avg failures per vehicle

10.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Or browse all models: Mazda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Mazda Bongo stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing