CarCostCheck

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 38 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1999cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1999cc27 years old38 tests115k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1999cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1999cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,197
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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 27 years old, 76% of MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 38 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 115,079 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars177th of 375(top 47%)
Rank among MAZDA models300th of 483(top 62%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average+1%(75% avg)
vs MAZDA average-5%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

115,079

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has 115,079 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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 1999 sits between the two at 76%.

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202093%43112,571 mi
201770%40136,463 mi
201665%46128,564 mi
201577%70109,034 mi
201461%75126,398 mi
201365%40117,328 mi
201165%46162,945 mi
200961%44123,721 mi
200787%67187,266 mi
200681%59125,309 mi
200578%125109,955 mi
200489%12698,201 mi
200388%9199,174 mi
200279%16390,086 mi
200180%82109,911 mi
200083%4298,714 mi
199976%38115,079 mi
199771%35143,011 mi

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About the 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

The 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is a family car with a 1999cc petrol engine. 38 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 115,079 miles at 27 years old, MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE Fuel Costs

The 1999cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% 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 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

At 27 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 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 27 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.

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 115k 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.

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 1999 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE(1999)76%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
FORD FOCUS(2001)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£170
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)71%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
HONDA CIVIC(2001)70%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£370

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.

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