How much does a 1998 FORD COUGAR cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 FORD COUGAR?

The 1998 FORD COUGAR has a 58% MOT pass rate based on 84 tests in 2026. This ranks 336 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year FORD COUGAR is most reliable?

The 2001 FORD COUGAR has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 58%.

FORD COUGAR (1998)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 FORD COUGAR?

The average mileage for a 1998 FORD COUGAR is 101,624 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 84 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

58%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

58% pass rate, £2397/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

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

58% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 24 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 28 years old, 58% of FORD COUGARs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 84 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 101,624 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars336th of 340(top 99%)

Rank among FORD models1157th of 1,167(top 99%)

vs national average-24%(82% avg)

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

vs FORD average-27%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,624

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 FORD COUGAR has 101,624 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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?

The most reliable year is the 2001 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 58%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

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

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

+9%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+15%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+13%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+20%

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About the 1998 FORD COUGAR

The 1998 FORD COUGAR is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 84 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 99% of 1998 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 101,624 miles at 28 years old, FORD COUGAR 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 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 £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 FORD COUGAR?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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

Newer FORD COUGARs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 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. Note: with only 84 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 FORD COUGAR's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD COUGAR(1998)	58%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£200
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.