Ford Cougar (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 84 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,761

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

58%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

58% pass rate, £2,761/year to run. 24 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc28 years old84 tests102k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,761

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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

58% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 24 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

58% of MOT tests on Ford Cougars from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 84 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 101,624 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models321st of 325(bottom 2%)

Rank among Ford models1126th of 1,136(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-24%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-17%(75% avg)

vs Ford average-27%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,624

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Ford Cougar had 101,624 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1998 scores 58%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Cougar by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2001	76%	263	94,678 mi
2000	70%	288	91,486 mi
1999	71%	452	86,706 mi
1998	58%	84	101,624 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+15%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+13%

BMW 3 Series

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

78%

+20%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,561/year

75%

+17%

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About the 1998 Ford Cougar

The 1998 Ford Cougar is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 84 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 2% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 101,624 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Cougar owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 Ford Cougar Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 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 Ford Cougar?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,761 (£230/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 58% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Ford Cougar Reliability Trend

The Ford Cougar has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 Ford Cougar

At 28 years old, the Ford Cougar 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 2001 model has the highest pass rate at 76%. Note: with only 84 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 102k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 58% 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 Ford Cougar 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
Ford Cougar(1998)	58%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£433
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200
BMW 3 Series(1999)	78%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888+£127
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200

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 Ford Cougar

Is the 1998 Ford Cougar reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 58% of MOT tests on 1998 Ford Cougars ended in a pass, from 84 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 24 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Ford Cougar cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,761 a year (£230 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 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 Ford Cougar?

58% of 84 MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Cougar ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 321st of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 2%).

Which year Ford Cougar has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 Ford Cougar has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2000 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Ford Cougar?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Cougar is 101,624 miles, which is below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.