Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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mountainmummy
Bongolier
Posts: 492
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:30 pm
Location: Stirlingshire

Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by mountainmummy » Fri Jan 05, 2018 2:55 pm

Hi

Well after 6 fabulous years of Ford Freda ownership we're thinking of going to the dark side and are considering a VW t5 conversion. The bongo's just not big enough for us now the kids are growing and we've always been too scared to take it abroad. Not because it's ever let us down but because we're just chickens.

Sadly our pockets aren't particularly deep so we're looking at the more budget end of the range.

We've seen a 55 plate van that ticks all the boxes and is in our price range but the MOT history is worrying me a little as there have been a lot of suspension related fails over the last few years.

The cambelt and waterpump were changed last year and I know how to check for issues with the dual fly mass wheel but I'm not particularly mechanically minded.

I know this is a bongo forum but I've always had such good help here in the past I'm just hoping someone could have a look at the mot history and tell me if it's all just normal wear and tear considering the age and mileage or if we should avoid.

Copy of MOT results below.. Oh and if anyone is looking for a freshly MOTd unconverted 97 AFT ours will be up for sale shortly (and with regret as we've loved owning it).

I've been trying and failing to join the T5 forum but for some reason can't get past the registration stage.


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VF55DNY
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

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Colour
White

Fuel type
Diesel

Date registered
14 December 2005

MOT valid until
4 August 2018
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MOT History
Mileage recorded at test, parts failed or had minor problems

Date tested
1 August 2017
PASS
Mileage
141,279 miles
MOT test number
8742 1919 6522
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
4 August 2018
Date tested
1 August 2017
FAIL
Mileage
141,277 miles
MOT test number
6457 8753 6702
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)
Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
What are failures?
Date tested
5 August 2016
PASS
Mileage
126,192 miles
MOT test number
8838 1069 7167
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
4 August 2017
Advisory notice item(s)
engine mounting worn
What are advisories?
Date tested
5 August 2016
FAIL
Mileage
126,191 miles
MOT test number
9324 6944 0414
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)
Horn not working (1.6.2a)
Advisory notice item(s)
engine mounting worn
What are failures and advisories?
Date tested
5 August 2015
PASS
Mileage
116,834 miles
MOT test number
8417 1781 3651
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
4 August 2016
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
What are advisories?
Date tested
30 July 2015
FAIL
Mileage
116,795 miles
MOT test number
4611 1518 3149
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
What are failures and advisories?
Date tested
30 July 2014
PASS
Mileage
99,167 miles
MOT test number
8993 1151 4287
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
29 July 2015
Date tested
30 July 2014
FAIL
Mileage
99,167 miles
MOT test number
2884 2111 4296
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
What are failures?
Date tested
4 September 2012
PASS
Mileage
86,935 miles
MOT test number
7968 9874 2297
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
3 September 2013
Advisory notice item(s)
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
spare tyre soft
What are advisories?
Date tested
4 September 2012
FAIL
Mileage
86,935 miles
MOT test number
8466 3864 2203
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Advisory notice item(s)
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
spare tyre soft
What are failures and advisories?
Date tested
20 May 2011
PASS
Mileage
77,500 miles
MOT test number
8467 5034 1170
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
19 May 2012
Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
What are advisories?
Date tested
9 September 2010
PASS
Mileage
71,340 miles
MOT test number
1726 1255 0230
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
8 September 2011
Date tested
26 March 2010
PASS
Mileage
67,418 miles
MOT test number
1349 5588 0401
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
25 March 2011
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
What are advisories?
Date tested
5 December 2008
PASS
Mileage
55,382 miles
MOT test number
7521 4004 8319
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
14 December 2009
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Why, oh why did I chose such a naff forum name????
TheLongRoad
Bongolier
Posts: 480
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:39 pm

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by TheLongRoad » Fri Jan 05, 2018 6:21 pm

Doesn’t sound like it has been a well loved van to me. I’d have thought someone would have checked basics like bulbs and tyres before an MOT.
2002 Friendee 2.0 ltr Petrol.
Markas
Bongolier
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2017 3:53 pm
Location: Deux-Sèvres, France

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by Markas » Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:24 pm

A lot of VW enthusiasts prefer the T4 over the T5. IIRC there are some problem areas with the later van, including emissions gubbins such as the DPF and EGR valve, and they have a dual mass flywheel, which is costly to replace. T4's may not be able to go into Low Emissions Zones, but that's a good excuse to avoid cities :)
Mark
1999 Bongo 2.0L, Northstar Outback rear conversion
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by Bob » Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:39 pm

Might be worth thinking about a small caravan to give you more camping space.

If you don't have space at home storage is fairly inexpensive and overall it could be a lot chepaer than replacing Bongy.
TheLongRoad
Bongolier
Posts: 480
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:39 pm

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by TheLongRoad » Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:17 pm

Also consider the Toyota Granvia / Reguis models as some of those seem to represent good value and like the Bongo the imports seem to have been people carriers rather than builders vans.
2002 Friendee 2.0 ltr Petrol.
User avatar
mountainmummy
Bongolier
Posts: 492
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:30 pm
Location: Stirlingshire

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by mountainmummy » Sat Jan 06, 2018 3:04 pm

Hi
Think we're going to walk away.

Caravan is a no no as hubby flat right refuses to consider one.

There will be plenty of options open to us as we're not in any hurry.

Sara
Why, oh why did I chose such a naff forum name????
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by Bob » Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:45 pm

Better to walk than buy a lemon for certain. 8)
Rcflyer
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:34 pm

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by Rcflyer » Sat Jan 06, 2018 5:41 pm

such a pity to rule out a small caravan to be towed by your beloved Bongo. We caravanned for 25 years until we moved house and lost our home storage space. But, the last 7 years we towed with a lovely, comfortable, high seated, picnic friendly Nissan Elgrand. We considered replacing the caravan with a small camper van, but the seating and sleeping arrangements were not suitable, so we got the Elgrand as the perfect towcar, with normal motoring served by an economical Yaris. As any Bongo owner knows, even a Motorway journey is better sitting up high above normal cars, and the caravan sits on the pitch without needing packing to go touring or shopping, and what could be nicer than touring in something high, and with all those seats for picnics! It will use plenty of fuel getting there, but that's the only downside. It's up to personal choice, but good luck anyway. No Elgrand either, now, but seriously considering a petrol Bongo to enjoy touring and picnics again, even without a caravan. Using this Forum for good advice.
nth
Bongolier
Posts: 350
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:21 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Thinking of going to the dark side. Mot history jitters

Post by nth » Wed Jan 10, 2018 8:37 am

There’s nothing too serious on the MOT history considering the milage although I suspect it will need a CV joint in the near future as the gaiter has been split for the last few years which will be allowing all the grease to get out & all the dirt/crap/water to get in.
95 2.5d 4WD AFT
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