2003 Mazda Bongo Friendee 2.0L Petrol · LU03 JUT

The 2003 Mazda Bongo Friendee currently holds a valid MOT issued on 12 March 2026 at 74,626 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That most recent test followed a failure on the same day, where the tester flagged a severely deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, structural corrosion on both inner sills, a torn and bulging nearside rear tyre, and an inoperative interior door handle. The car passed only after rectifying the immediate failure points, yet the underlying corrosion advisories remain unresolved. A clean pass in March 2025 at 71,324 miles suggests the vehicle was in reasonable order twelve months prior, but the sudden cluster of defects in 2026 indicates a sharp decline in upkeep over the last year. The mileage profile is notably low for a 23-year-old vehicle. Between the February 2024 test at 69,242 miles and the March 2025 test at 71,324 miles, the van covered just 2,082 miles in over twelve months. The subsequent jump to 74,626 miles by March 2026 represents 3,302 miles in roughly one year, a modest increase but still consistent with very light annual use averaging around 3,245 miles per year across its life. Such low mileage typically reduces wear on drivetrain and braking components, yet the MOT record tells a different story, with tyre structural failure and suspension deterioration appearing despite minimal use. Long periods of standing likely accelerated perishing of rubber components and corrosion of exposed steel sections. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the inner sills and structural floor pans, as corrosion was noted on both sides during the March 2026 test and may have progressed since. The offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover was severely deteriorated at the last test, meaning the joint itself may have been contaminated with road grit and moisture, leading to accelerated wear and potential play. The nearside rear tyre failure points to aged rubber, so all four tyres should be checked for date codes and sidewall cracking regardless of remaining tread depth. The ABS warning lamp fault that caused the February 2025 failure was apparently resolved, but a diagnostic scan should confirm no stored fault codes remain. The driver's door interior handle mechanism also warrants verification, as repeated failure of interior release cables is common on these vehicles and suggests deferred attention to basic cabin functionality.