Bongo Fury

Hello all. I have just purchased a 2001 Bongo “Mistral” and I’m in the process of finding my way around it to figure out how to configure it. It’s all very exciting!

However, despite doing my research before purchase, I stumbled upon this forum afterwards and my heart sank when I discovered that I had bought the van from what looks like a well known character in Bristol. After the initial “oh *#@$” moment I’m not quite as concerned but I am still wondering what lurks beneath. Most of the Bongos he had in stock were absolute sheds, but I did thoroughly inspect the one I eventually went with and was content that it was mechanically what you could best expect from a 19 year old vehicle. No history of corrosion on MOTs, test drive showed the engine was strong and smooth, and the transmission was very smooth. It has just had a new alternator and radiator, but the work looked up to scratch. The interior was a little tired but the price reflected that.

Anyway, concerned that I may have missed something, can anyone elaborate on the common cover ups that dodgy dealers do?

My plan is to give it a thorough service (as I do with any used vehicle purchase), so I’ll scour the forum for advice. In the meantime it is getting a new android head unit and a full interior valet and shampoo of the seats and carpets. The front carpet (not the mats, the carpet beneath) is covered in stains so I’m looking for ideas other than a direct replacement, to freshen it up. Any suggestions?

I’m sure I’ll be along to tap your brains at some point soon. Thank you in advance.

Welcome aboard.

Which engine do you have?

The main thing you need to understand is the requirement to bleed the cooling system, after any loss, on the diesel and V6. Everything else is pretty standard old tech.

There are 3 very good videos on You Tube if you have a quick Google.

It's also helps us to help you if you pop a rough location in your profile.

Thanks Bob. It’s a ‘Y’ reg V6 Petrol.

I’m based in Hampshire near Winchester. If anyone can recommend a relatively local garage familiar with the Bongo it would be greatly appreciated.

We (Wife, 2 kids, and me) have tentatively planned our first experimental outing in the New Forest early October where hopefully we will get to find out how it all works.

Our v6 is looked after by Pantech in Guildford, so an easy run for you. They're not Bongo specialists but good mechanics and have done reasonable work on ours over the last few years,

Given what I have just read through having typed Bristol Bob into the search I would not personally be purchasing anything for the Bongo until I had driven it round for a few weeks. Good luck.

You know, having dug deeper I’m no longer 100% or was Bristol Bob I dealt with. If anyone knows his real name I’d appreciate a private message so that I can know for sure.

The Bongo is booked in on Wednesday for a full service and top to bottom inspection for peace of mind. I discovered Car VX and ordered a report out of interest. It was sold at Nagoya auction in July 2009 and had an “invalid” stamp on the auction sheet indicating it was in critical condition. The report does not note collision history but does mention malfunction. Here is a screenshot:


I’m intrigued to find out what it refers to. I have given the van a thorough going over and it all looks fine. I’m confident all is okay but there are too many warning flags to just not check!