Daihatsu Hijet (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 285 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

993cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol993cc28 years old285 tests62k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 993cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

68% of MOT tests on Daihatsu Hijets from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 285 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 62,174 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models276th of 325(bottom 16%)

Rank among Daihatsu models66th of 100(bottom half)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-7%(75% avg)

vs Daihatsu average-3%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,174

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Daihatsu Hijet had 62,174 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 62%. The 1998 scores 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Daihatsu Hijet by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	84%	31	26,287 mi
2011	100%	31	47,417 mi
2005	77%	30	74,330 mi
2004	63%	49	80,985 mi
2003	72%	152	63,062 mi
2002	64%	233	64,346 mi
2001	67%	183	61,771 mi
2000	62%	146	70,050 mi
1999	67%	368	65,716 mi
1998	68%	285	62,174 mi
1997	72%	260	60,537 mi
1996	76%	122	69,244 mi
1995	72%	101	71,965 mi
1994	62%	63	58,613 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+21%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+2%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+2%

Ford Fiesta

1999 · 1392cc Petrol

£2,383/year

67%

-1%

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About the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet

The 1998 Daihatsu Hijet is a city car. Our records list a 993cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 285 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 16% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 62,174 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Daihatsu Hijet owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1998 Daihatsu Hijet Fuel Costs

The modest 993cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Daihatsu Hijet Reliability Trend

Older Daihatsu Hijets tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1998 Daihatsu Hijet

At 28 years old, the Daihatsu Hijet 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 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% 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 1998 Daihatsu Hijet stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Daihatsu Hijet(1998)	68%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£2,160
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£350
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23
Ford Fiesta(1999)	67%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383+£223

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet

Is the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 1998 Daihatsu Hijets ended in a pass, from 285 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet?

68% of 285 MOT tests on the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 276th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 16%).

Which year Daihatsu Hijet has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Daihatsu Hijet has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2000 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet is 62,174 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.