CarCostCheck

MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 46 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc10 years old46 tests129k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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 10 years old, 65% of MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEEs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 46 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 128,564 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars583th of 586(top 99%)
Rank among MAZDA models446th of 483(top 92%)
vs national average-17%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average-20%(85% avg)
vs MAZDA average-16%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

128,564

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE has 128,564 miles on the clock, which is well above the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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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 2016 sits between the two at 65%.

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 2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

The 2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 46 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 99% of 2016 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 128,564 miles at 10 years old, MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE Fuel Costs

The 1998cc 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 2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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 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 2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE

At 10 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 46 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 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 10 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 129k 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 2016 MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE(2016)65%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
FORD FOCUS(2014)80%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£720
NISSAN QASHQAI(2014)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£815
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)88%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£720

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

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