CarCostCheck

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 82 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2500cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2427/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2500cc25 years old82 tests110k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2500cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2500cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,427
Per month£202/mo
Per week£47/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

80% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 25 years old, 80% of MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 82 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 109,911 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars84th of 362(top 23%)
Rank among MAZDA models243th of 483(top 50%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average+7%(73% avg)
vs MAZDA average-1%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

109,911

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has 109,911 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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 2001 sits between the two at 80%.

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 2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

The 2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is a large car with a 2500cc petrol engine. 82 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 23% of all 2001 cars for reliability.

With an average of 109,911 miles at 25 years old, MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE Fuel Costs

The 2500cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 202/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% 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 2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

At 25 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 82 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 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 25 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 110k 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 2001 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE(2001)80%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2427
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£30
MERCEDES CLK(2003)78%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£30
BMW Z4(2003)79%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£30
PORSCHE 911(2003)87%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2247-£180

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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Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda Bongo friendee.

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