1996 Mazda Bongo 2.5L Diesel · M130 NGO

The Mazda Bongo passed its most recent MOT on 3 June 2025 at 177,620 miles with no defects recorded, and the maintenance trend across the available history is stable with no recurring mechanical faults. The vehicle showed two failed tests in quick succession before each pass, but both failures on 29 May 2025 at 177,599 miles and 18 May 2024 at 176,918 miles carried no defects, indicating administrative or presentation issues rather than mechanical rejection. No advisories for corrosion, suspension bushes, brake discs, or exhaust emissions appear at any stage. The recorded mileage sits at 177,620 against a 1996 build, averaging roughly 5,921 miles per year, which is low for a 30-year-old van. The odometer moved only 50 miles between the September 2019 test at 176,868 and the May 2024 test at 176,918, then 702 miles to the June 2025 pass. Such a flat profile suggests long periods of storage or very light use, though the five-year gap from 2019 to 2024 leaves the condition of unseen components unverified by annual testing. A buyer should still commission a physical inspection of structural integrity and underbody corrosion given the vehicle's age and the sparse record. The tester logged no binding calipers, worn coil springs, or failing exhaust on any date, yet a Bongo of this era commonly suffers from chassis rust and degraded suspension bushes that a clean MOT will not always capture. Confirm the brake hydraulics and flexible hoses are sound, as the 2024 and 2025 failures with zero defects imply the van may have been presented without valid documentation rather than repaired. Given the low annual mileage and clean results when tested, previous ownership appears to have kept basic upkeep current, but the repeated no-defect failures hint at lapsed paperwork or missed test windows. Inspect the tyres and wiper blades for perishing from standing, and verify the 177,620 figure matches the physical wear on pedals, seats, and drivetrain before purchase.