Fiat Seicento (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 118 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,960

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

899cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1,960/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol899cc28 years old118 tests55k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 899cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,960

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

75% of MOT tests on Fiat Seicentos from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 118 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 54,569 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models156th of 325(top half)

Rank among Fiat models562nd of 788(bottom half)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average+0%(75% avg)

vs Fiat average-8%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,569

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Fiat Seicento had 54,569 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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Fiat Seicento by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2003	65%	876	58,623 mi
2002	68%	625	60,168 mi
2001	66%	481	58,720 mi
2000	65%	275	54,431 mi
1999	68%	340	55,623 mi
1998	75%	118	54,569 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+14%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-5%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-5%

Ford Fiesta

1999 · 1392cc Petrol

£2,383/year

67%

-8%

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About the 1998 Fiat Seicento

The 1998 Fiat Seicento is a city car. Our records list a 899cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 118 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 54,569 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Fiat Seicento 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 Fiat Seicento Fuel Costs

The modest 899cc 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 Fiat Seicento?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,960 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Fiat Seicento Reliability Trend

The Fiat Seicento has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 Fiat Seicento

At 28 years old, the Fiat Seicento 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.

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.

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 Fiat Seicento 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
Fiat Seicento(1998)	75%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,960
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£150
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£223
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£223
Ford Fiesta(1999)	67%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383+£423

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 Fiat Seicento

Is the 1998 Fiat Seicento reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 1998 Fiat Seicentos ended in a pass, from 118 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Fiat Seicento cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,960 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Fiat Seicento?

75% of 118 MOT tests on the 1998 Fiat Seicento ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 156th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (top half).

Which year Fiat Seicento has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Fiat Seicento has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2000 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Fiat Seicento?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Fiat Seicento is 54,569 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.