1997 Mazda Bongo

The owner confirms the 238,500 reading is definitely in miles, and the speedometer has never been replaced. The elevating roof is fully electric, and she says it's all intact with no damage. She's also added that the van has a mains electric hook-up for camping. She's checking her diary for viewing days and times and will come back to us with what suits.

Reason for selling: the owner says it's a genuine and quite emotional decision. Both she and her partner have had health problems since buying the Bongo — her own mobility has deteriorated and she now relies on a mobility scooter — and they simply can't manage setting the van up between them any more. They camped locally in August and needed family to help, and they've decided now is the right time to let it go. (The awning has already been sold separately.) She adds that the van is immaculate inside, they've caught up with the welding, and it passed its MOT in May with no work needed other than advisories. Her partner still drives it around 4 miles roughly four times a week. At a viewing they'll connect the mains hook-up (they have a converter to plug into the mains) so the fridge, tap and cooker can all be seen working. She says they're very transparent and would love "Molly" to go to someone who'll make happy memories in her. Video: she can do a short clip but can't manage it today — she'll film it tomorrow morning.

The owner has dug out the paperwork she holds for the van and, from what she can see in it, she believes the engine has had three head gaskets over the course of its life. She hasn't mentioned any full engine rebuild — this is what the paperwork she has shows. She's happy to go through the paperwork in detail with anyone who comes to view.

The owner has clarified: the engine has never been rebuilt and no major engine work has been done in her ownership — the only work they've had done is some welding and a thermostat. The three head gaskets she mentioned come from the paperwork covering the van's earlier life, not work she's had carried out. She's happy to go through all the paperwork with anyone who comes to view.

The owner isn't able to deliver — she'd need the buyer to collect the Bongo from her in the Romsey area.

The owner confirms none of the May 2026 MOT advisories have been attended to since the test — they remain as listed on the MOT.

The owner says there are no issues with the cooling system and it has all been sorted. It has a coolant alarm fitted, and as a precaution they top it up straight away if the alarm ever sounds. They always carry spare coolant. The van was fully serviced in May 2026 and passed its MOT then, and she has the paperwork for both.

The owner confirms the welding was done properly, in a pit (at a garage), rather than the corrosion just being covered with underseal, and she has the receipt for the work, which she can show at a viewing. Note that the underside and inner sill corrosion advisories from the May 2026 MOT still stand as listed.

Downstairs, the seats fold down to make a double bed. Up in the elevating roof there's space for a double or two single blow-up mattresses (these aren't supplied). The owner and her partner haven't slept up there themselves, but previous owners did. The roof has ventilation nets and blackout blinds, and you can lie up there and stargaze. An awning can also be easily attached to the van for extra sleeping space, which gives a few options (no awning is supplied).

Downstairs, the seats fold down to make a double bed. Up in the elevating roof there's space for a double or two single blow-up mattresses (these aren't supplied), so two adults could each have their own bed, one downstairs and one up top. The owner and her partner haven't slept up there themselves, but previous owners did. The roof has ventilation nets and blackout blinds, and you can lie up there and stargaze. An awning can also be easily attached to the van for extra sleeping space (no awning is supplied).

The owner doesn't believe the underside or body has been treated or rust-proofed (e.g. waxoyled or undersealed) during her ownership, so there's no paperwork for that. The welding she's already mentioned was done properly at a garage, and she has the receipt for it.