1997 Mazda Bongo Friendee 2.5L Petrol · P645 JMS

The 2025 MOT failure highlights significant structural and safety concerns. Multiple suspension component mounting areas show excessive corrosion, reducing structural strength in critical zones like sills and inner sills. This corrosion is not isolated, with repeated mentions of similar issues in prior MOTs, indicating a persistent vulnerability. The nearside parking brake efficiency is severely compromised at just 1/3 of the offside, and oil leakage from the nearside rear hub seal adds to the risk. Brake discs are pitted or scored, and body panel damage with corroded edges on wheel arches poses injury risks. Recurring corrosion in suspension mounting areas and brake components suggests a worsening trend. While earlier MOTs noted minor corrosion (e.g., 2021’s “corroded rear springs” and 2022’s “brake pipe corroded”), the 2025 failure reveals structural degradation, including holed sills and weakened mounts. The 2021 MOT also flagged excessive corrosion affecting strength, but the 2025 results show no improvement. Brake issues have escalated from “pitted but not seriously weakened” in 2021 to “worn, pitted, or scored” in 2025, indicating progressive wear. The vehicle’s low mileage (4,776 miles annually) raises questions about usage patterns.