2003 Mazda Bongo 2.0L Petrol · AT53 MYM

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate following a pass in June 2025 at 153,919 miles. However, the maintenance trend shows a significant decline in condition leading into the March 2025 failure. While the vehicle maintained clean records between 2022 and 2024, the 2025 test identified a high volume of mechanical and structural defects that suggest a period of neglected upkeep or a transition in ownership that prioritised reactive repairs rather than preventative maintenance. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 23-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,700 miles per year. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the vehicle covered 3,001 miles, which represents a lower rate of use. The small gap of only 12 miles between the failure in March 2025 and the pass in June 2025 indicates the vehicle was retested immediately after major repairs, but the low annual mileage does not mask the age-related rubber components and structural issues identified during that failure. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the lower sills and body mounting points. The March 2025 failure flagged excessive corrosion affecting the strength of the inner sills on both the nearside and offside rear. This is a critical structural concern for a van of this age as rust often progresses rapidly once. You should also inspect the front suspension arm ball joints and track rod end dust covers, as these were previously noted as deteriorated, which allows grit ingress and leads to premature joint failure. The braking system requires close attention following the reports of fluctuating rear service brakes and low efficiency in early 2025. Although these were cleared, the presence of a minor exhaust leak and perished front tyres at that same time suggests that secondary components are frequently overlooked. Verify the age and condition of all tyres specifically, as the previous record noted cuts reaching the cords on the offside rear.