Ford Freda (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 72 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,088

£257/month

MOT Pass Rate

61%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2490cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

61% pass rate, £3,088/year to run. 21 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Ford Freda

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2490cc28 years old72 tests138k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2490cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,088

Per month£257/mo

Per week£59/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

61% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 21 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

61% of MOT tests on Ford Fredas from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 72 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 138,247 miles.

Got a Ford Freda you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models314th of 325(bottom 4%)

Rank among Ford models1120th of 1,136(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-21%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-14%(75% avg)

vs Ford average-24%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

138,247

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Ford Freda had 138,247 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.

Looking at a specific Ford Freda?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 57%. The 1998 scores 61%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Freda by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	73%	37	108,626 mi
2016	63%	48	123,345 mi
2015	70%	54	118,918 mi
2014	71%	56	147,557 mi
2013	65%	40	132,735 mi
2012	62%	37	132,046 mi
2011	70%	79	146,356 mi
2010	57%	112	141,831 mi
2009	67%	83	132,200 mi
2008	60%	100	150,593 mi
2007	66%	156	160,544 mi
2006	77%	151	162,134 mi
2005	59%	157	158,896 mi
2004	57%	97	161,141 mi
2003	62%	45	162,493 mi
2001	69%	39	76,994 mi
2000	73%	30	108,094 mi
1999	72%	61	116,739 mi
1998	61%	72	138,247 mi
1997	59%	54	127,676 mi
1996	69%	91	149,266 mi
1995	72%	67	158,646 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW Z3

1998 · 2800cc Petrol

£2,888/year

77%

+16%

BMW 3 Series

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

78%

+17%

Mercedes SLK

1999 · 2298cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

+18%

Porsche Boxster

2000 · 2700cc Petrol

£2,738/year

82%

+21%

Check a Specific Ford Freda

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1998 Ford Freda

The 1998 Ford Freda is a large car. Our records list a 2490cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 72 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 4% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 138,247 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Freda owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 Ford Freda Fuel Costs

The 2490cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 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 Freda?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,088 (£257/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 61% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Ford Freda Reliability Trend

Older Ford Fredas tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1998 Ford Freda

At 28 years old, the Ford Freda 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 77%. Note: with only 72 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.

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 138k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 61% 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 Freda 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 Freda(1998)	61%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£3,088
BMW Z3(1998)	77%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,888-£200
BMW 3 Series(1999)	78%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£200
Mercedes SLK(1999)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£200
Porsche Boxster(2000)	82%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,738-£350

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 Freda

Is the 1998 Ford Freda reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 61% of MOT tests on 1998 Ford Fredas ended in a pass, from 72 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 21 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Ford Freda cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,088 a year (£257 a month): £1,958 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 Freda?

61% of 72 MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Freda ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 314th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 4%).

Which year Ford Freda has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Ford Freda has the highest MOT pass rate at 77% and the 2010 the lowest at 57%. 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 Freda?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Freda is 138,247 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.