How much does a 1998 FORD FOCUS 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 FOCUS?

The 1998 FORD FOCUS has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 308 tests in 2026. This ranks 304 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year FORD FOCUS is most reliable?

The 2022 FORD FOCUS has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 65%.

FORD FOCUS (1998)

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

The average mileage for a 1998 FORD FOCUS is 105,722 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 308 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1796cc28 years old308 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£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

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 FOCUSs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 308 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 105,722 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars304th of 340(top 89%)

Rank among FORD models1123th 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

105,722

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 FORD FOCUS has 105,722 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 2022 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1998 sits between the two at 66%.

FORD FOCUS by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	92%	810	23,275 mi
2021	90%	20,441	30,768 mi
2020	91%	58,336	35,324 mi
2019	89%	93,803	41,996 mi
2018	89%	82,066	47,654 mi
2017	89%	109,241	57,591 mi
2016	87%	109,880	66,788 mi
2015	85%	129,337	75,436 mi
2014	80%	131,119	83,264 mi
2013	78%	132,292	90,803 mi
2012	78%	123,008	97,038 mi
2011	75%	115,331	103,292 mi
2010	75%	101,132	104,468 mi
2009	74%	105,193	105,899 mi
2008	73%	90,659	109,505 mi
2007	73%	77,121	108,772 mi
2006	73%	56,257	109,516 mi
2005	71%	41,794	108,237 mi
2004	69%	29,927	105,988 mi
2003	68%	22,313	99,363 mi
2002	69%	17,885	103,596 mi
2001	68%	10,188	105,162 mi
2000	67%	4,627	104,538 mi
1999	65%	4,250	109,114 mi
1998	66%	308	105,722 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+7%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+5%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

+4%

TOYOTA YARIS

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

+4%

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About the 1998 FORD FOCUS

The 1998 FORD FOCUS is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 308 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 89% of 1998 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 105,722 miles at 28 years old, FORD FOCUS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 FORD FOCUS 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 £1,327 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 FOCUS?

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 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

FORD FOCUS Reliability Trend

Newer FORD FOCUSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 FORD FOCUS

At 28 years old, the FORD FOCUS 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 FORD FOCUS'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 106k 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 FOCUS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD FOCUS(1998)	66%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£675
TOYOTA YARIS(2000)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£675

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.