How much does a 1998 FORD EXPLORER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £3,107 (£259/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

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

The 1998 FORD EXPLORER has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 197 tests in 2026. This ranks 305 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year FORD EXPLORER is most reliable?

The 2005 FORD EXPLORER has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 66%.

FORD EXPLORER (1998)

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

The average mileage for a 1998 FORD EXPLORER is 109,272 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 197 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£3,107

£259/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4008cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £3107/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol4008cc28 years old197 tests109k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4008cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4008cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,107

Per month£259/mo

Per week£60/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

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 28 years old, 66% of FORD EXPLORERs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 197 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 109,272 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars305th of 340(top 90%)

Rank among FORD models1124th of 1,167(top 96%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-9%(75% avg)

vs FORD average-19%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

109,272

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 FORD EXPLORER has 109,272 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 66%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

FORD EXPLORER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	88%	32	89,490 mi
2014	89%	44	97,646 mi
2013	89%	61	84,193 mi
2012	100%	38	84,961 mi
2005	89%	92	72,400 mi
2004	78%	69	77,520 mi
2003	88%	49	93,976 mi
2002	73%	33	83,397 mi
2000	73%	158	91,142 mi
1999	81%	203	114,067 mi
1998	66%	197	109,272 mi
1997	76%	98	104,130 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

JAGUAR XK8

1997 · 3995cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

+15%

PORSCHE 911

1998 · 3596cc Petrol

£2,247/year

85%

+19%

JAGUAR XJ

1998 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

+11%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

1999 · 3950cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

+13%

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About the 1998 FORD EXPLORER

The 1998 FORD EXPLORER is a performance with a 4008cc petrol engine. 197 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 90% of 1998 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 109,272 miles at 28 years old, FORD EXPLORER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 FORD EXPLORER Fuel Costs

The 4008cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 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 EXPLORER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,107 (£259/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

FORD EXPLORER Reliability Trend

Newer FORD EXPLORERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 FORD EXPLORER

At 28 years old, the FORD EXPLORER 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

Based on the 1998 FORD EXPLORER'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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 109k 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 66% 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 EXPLORER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD EXPLORER(1998)	66%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£3107
JAGUAR XK8(1997)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£860
PORSCHE 911(1998)	85%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£860
JAGUAR XJ(1998)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£710
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(1999)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£710

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.