2004 Mazda Bongo Friendee 2.0L Petrol · LE53 HMZ

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile with a trend of worsening structural and mechanical degradation. While it passed its most recent test in December 2025 at 193,468 miles, this followed two significant failures in November 2025. The November 12 failure revealed critical safety defects, including significantly reduced strength in seat belt anchorages and excessive corrosion on suspension mounting points. Although the December test noted the corrosion was no longer excessive, the persistence of these faults suggests the vehicle is reaching a stage of structural instability. The recorded mileage of 193,468 miles over 22 years represents an average of approximately 8,800 miles per year, which is consistent with typical domestic use. However, there is a massive spike in usage recorded between December 2023 (78,456 miles) and November 2024 (179,634 miles). The vehicle covered over 100,000 miles in just eleven months. This rapid accumulation likely accelerated the wear on the chassis and contributed to the cluster of mechanical failures observed in the subsequent MOT tests. A buyer must prioritise a thorough physical inspection of the structural integrity, specifically focusing on the offside front suspension mounting and the inner integral sills. The history shows recurring corrosion that has progressed from minor to a failure-level defect within a single year. The anti-roll bar linkages and bushes have also been flagged across multiple tests, indicating the suspension system is nearing the end of life. Additionally, the 2025 records noted all four tyres were perished or damaged, which suggests the vehicle may have sat for long periods or suffered from basic neglect despite the high-mileage activity.