CarCostCheck

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 91 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1999cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1999cc23 years old91 tests99k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1999cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1999cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 23 years old, 88% of MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 91 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,174 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars36th of 445(top 8%)
Rank among MAZDA models187th of 483(top 39%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+16%(72% avg)
vs MAZDA average+7%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,174

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has 99,174 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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 2003 sits between the two at 88%.

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 2003 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

The 2003 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is a family car with a 1999cc petrol engine. 91 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 8% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 99,174 miles at 23 years old, MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 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 2003 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% 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 2003 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

At 23 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 91 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 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 23 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

Medium risk

With an average of 99k 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 2003 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE(2003)88%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
TOYOTA COROLLA(2005)76%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
RENAULT CLIO(2005)67%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217+£170

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.

Related Mazda Models

Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda Bongo friendee.

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