How much does a 1996 MAZDA BONGO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 MAZDA BONGO?

The 1996 MAZDA BONGO has a 65% MOT pass rate based on 691 tests in 2026. This ranks 222 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year MAZDA BONGO is most reliable?

The 2018 MAZDA BONGO has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%. The least reliable year is 2009 at 63%.

MAZDA BONGO (1996)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 MAZDA BONGO?

The average mileage for a 1996 MAZDA BONGO is 147,944 miles, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 691 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol2499cc30 years old691 tests148k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2499cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2499cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,777

Per month£231/mo

Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 30 years old, 65% of MAZDA BONGOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 691 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 147,944 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars222th of 252(top 88%)

Rank among MAZDA models439th of 483(top 91%)

vs national average-17%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average-10%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-16%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

147,944

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 MAZDA BONGO has 147,944 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 63%. The 1996 sits between the two at 65%.

MAZDA BONGO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	76%	99	98,059 mi
2020	74%	210	86,171 mi
2019	77%	220	101,242 mi
2018	78%	277	100,079 mi
2017	75%	478	110,285 mi
2016	72%	753	114,318 mi
2015	72%	770	120,943 mi
2014	68%	804	125,212 mi
2013	65%	706	138,716 mi
2012	68%	548	146,888 mi
2011	65%	736	149,648 mi
2010	64%	863	144,418 mi
2009	63%	796	146,139 mi
2008	66%	1,072	156,410 mi
2007	63%	1,331	150,625 mi
2006	67%	1,233	149,731 mi
2005	68%	1,384	139,153 mi
2004	70%	1,127	129,099 mi
2003	71%	764	116,308 mi
2002	76%	780	105,775 mi
2001	74%	738	107,775 mi
2000	75%	757	110,842 mi
1999	73%	610	116,062 mi
1998	69%	400	127,304 mi
1997	71%	573	137,918 mi
1996	65%	691	147,944 mi
1995	64%	504	157,843 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

+2%

BMW Z3

1998 · 2800cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

+12%

BMW 3 SERIES

1997 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

+14%

MERCEDES SLK

1998 · 2298cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

+14%

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About the 1996 MAZDA BONGO

The 1996 MAZDA BONGO is a large car with a 2499cc petrol engine. 691 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 88% of 1996 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 147,944 miles at 30 years old, MAZDA BONGO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 MAZDA BONGO Fuel Costs

The 2499cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 MAZDA BONGO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MAZDA BONGO Reliability Trend

The MAZDA BONGO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 MAZDA BONGO

At 30 years old, the MAZDA BONGO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 78%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 MAZDA BONGO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 148k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1996 MAZDA BONGO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA BONGO(1996)	65%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2777
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597-£180
BMW Z3(1998)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1997)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380
MERCEDES SLK(1998)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.