Ford Escort (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,292 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,561

£213/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2,561/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1796cc28 years old1,292 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,561

Per month£213/mo

Per week£49/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

74% of MOT tests on Ford Escorts from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 1,292 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 59,153 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models161st of 325(top half)

Rank among Ford models919th of 1,136(bottom 20%)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-1%(75% avg)

vs Ford average-11%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,153

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Ford Escort had 59,153 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 1992 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 71%. The 1998 scores 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Escort by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	100%	32	32,761 mi
2016	100%	33	49,005 mi
2015	91%	34	45,109 mi
2002	74%	525	107,053 mi
2001	71%	695	98,376 mi
2000	71%	801	83,996 mi
1999	71%	706	55,466 mi
1998	74%	1,292	59,153 mi
1997	72%	1,797	56,799 mi
1996	77%	1,820	56,809 mi
1995	81%	1,377	52,782 mi
1994	83%	1,008	57,612 mi
1993	83%	1,097	51,371 mi
1992	88%	733	50,276 mi
1991	85%	782	53,590 mi
1990	85%	2,672	52,314 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-1%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-3%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-4%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-4%

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About the 1998 Ford Escort

The 1998 Ford Escort is a family car. Our records list a 1796cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,292 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 59,153 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Escort 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 Escort Fuel Costs

The 1796cc 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 Escort?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,561 (£213/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Ford Escort Reliability Trend

Older Ford Escorts tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 11 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1998 Ford Escort

At 28 years old, the Ford Escort 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 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

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.

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 Escort 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 Escort(1998)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£233
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£378
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£378

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 Escort

Is the 1998 Ford Escort reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 1998 Ford Escorts ended in a pass, from 1,292 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Ford Escort cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,561 a year (£213 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 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 Ford Escort?

74% of 1,292 MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Escort ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 161st of 325 models first registered in 1998 (top half).

Which year Ford Escort has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 Ford Escort has the highest MOT pass rate at 88% and the 2001 the lowest at 71%. 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 Escort?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Escort is 59,153 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.