Mazda Bongo Rust

[MOMACC]

Thinking of buying our first Bongo.

Slightly concerned with the rust underneath and looking for your opinions.

It's got 12 months MOT, recently had some welding done and advisories are on the photos.

Does the rust look like it's going to cause a big bill or is it standard for a 25 year old van?

[D_G]

Don't buy it. It's shagged out. Pretty much all Bongos are so old they will be badly rusted, Mazda aren't the best for keeping it out. Fresh import or import yourself would be the only option.

[757]

Looks like surface rust and dirt to me most of that....apart from the shock sleeve thing, which is a quick fix most likely - then again I am not an expert on Bongo's but think they are cool things.

[steveo3002]

all i can see there is an axle and spare wheel which dont really matter and arent protected well from new , its all the susepension mounts , inner sills etc you need to inspect

[dundarach]

Top right looks a bit holey

And is that a pile of bodywork rust underneath the nearside front

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

A colleague had one. It needed constant tinkering with and welding for the MOT most years. If that's not your thing, then I wouldn't buy one.

[996Keef]

Rotten as a peach, they all are after a few years in UK

Great useable thing for camping etc, but long in the tooth now, not worth the money they are commanding

A friend bought an Elgrand recently, very nice, similar sortve setup. If you still want a bongo I'd try and get a fresh import , and have it professionally cleaned and underbody coated. They honestly rust for fun. Back arches are terrible especially

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

996Keef said:

A friend bought an Elgrand recently...

An associate of mine did too. I can't recall whether he sold it on in quick succession, I do know that sourcing suspension and possibly braking components was not a straightforward task.

[cologne2792]

I have a Mk2 Ford Ranger (Mazda B2500) which is essentially the same thing.
Very similar rust to mine which I steam cleaned and painted with Buzzweld products,
Now 20 years old and holding up very well.
The Mazda rustproofing is poor in that era but everything seems to be extremely substantial.
Had mine for a decade now.

[anonymous-user]

Typical rust for an old Japanese car, it is the very reason I would never buy a Japanese car again. Just wait until you need to work on the brakes or any suspension components and every single bolt snaps.

I know people hate French cars, but my 15 year old Megane is pristine underneath. I owned a similar age Honda Civic for a while and both rear arches were going and every seam under the car was slowly being attacked. They cannot even make brake caliper pistons that don't corrode and stick. Mine had new callipers fitted at a main dealer only for it to happen again 3 years later.

[anonymous-user]

My mate had a few Bongos (Bongi?), they were all rusty and mechanically shagged out. I’d look for a Honda Stepwagon or something they’re often in better nick.