How much does a 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

The 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has a 71% MOT pass rate based on 35 tests in 2026. This ranks 237 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is most reliable?

The 2004 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 2014 at 61%.

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 35 tests. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

The average mileage for a 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is 143,011 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 35 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2490cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel2490cc29 years old35 tests143k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2490cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2490cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 29 years old, 71% of MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 35 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 143,011 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars237th of 320(top 74%)

Rank among MAZDA models384th of 483(top 80%)

vs national average-11%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-4%(75% avg)

vs MAZDA average-10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

143,011

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has 143,011 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 2004 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 61%. The 1997 sits between the two at 71%.

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	93%	43	112,571 mi
2017	70%	40	136,463 mi
2016	65%	46	128,564 mi
2015	77%	70	109,034 mi
2014	61%	75	126,398 mi
2013	65%	40	117,328 mi
2011	65%	46	162,945 mi
2009	61%	44	123,721 mi
2007	87%	67	187,266 mi
2006	81%	59	125,309 mi
2005	78%	125	109,955 mi
2004	89%	126	98,201 mi
2003	88%	91	99,174 mi
2002	79%	163	90,086 mi
2001	80%	82	109,911 mi
2000	83%	42	98,714 mi
1999	76%	38	115,079 mi
1997	71%	35	143,011 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-1%

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

+5%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

+4%

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

+1%

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About the 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

The 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is a large car with a 2490cc diesel engine. 35 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 143,011 miles at 29 years old, MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE Fuel Costs

The 2490cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE Reliability Trend

Older MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

At 29 years old, the MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE 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 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 35 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 143k 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.

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 1997 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE(1997)	71%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2195
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145

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.