CarCostCheck

FORD MONDEO (1998)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 794 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2544cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol2544cc28 years old794 tests105k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2544cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2544cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,577
Per month£215/mo
Per week£50/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

72% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 28 years old, 72% of FORD MONDEOs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 794 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,643 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars208th of 340(top 61%)
Rank among FORD models1003th of 1,167(top 86%)
vs national average-10%(82% avg)
vs 1998 cars average-3%(75% avg)
vs FORD average-13%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,643

Average miles

vs

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 FORD MONDEO has 104,643 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 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1998 sits between the two at 72%.

FORD MONDEO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202294%8054,644 mi
202189%1,71039,889 mi
202089%3,65250,239 mi
201990%7,46661,857 mi
201890%11,91373,505 mi
201788%18,07384,027 mi
201687%26,92592,893 mi
201586%29,704100,819 mi
201480%20,850117,891 mi
201378%22,767125,216 mi
201278%29,196125,913 mi
201177%24,537131,601 mi
201075%29,714132,388 mi
200974%29,480135,619 mi
200872%28,655139,585 mi
200771%22,117133,332 mi
200671%13,543124,230 mi
200569%11,436124,025 mi
200469%7,419121,520 mi
200368%4,276116,650 mi
200268%3,281115,320 mi
200169%2,982115,470 mi
200070%1,210105,568 mi
199971%1,232100,805 mi
199872%794104,643 mi
199771%552100,239 mi
199673%57495,491 mi
199569%42696,846 mi
199476%25597,557 mi
199383%21797,667 mi

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About the 1998 FORD MONDEO

The 1998 FORD MONDEO is a large car with a 2544cc petrol engine. 794 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 104,643 miles at 28 years old, FORD MONDEO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 FORD MONDEO Fuel Costs

The 2544cc 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 MONDEO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD MONDEO Reliability Trend

Newer FORD MONDEOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 FORD MONDEO

At 28 years old, the FORD MONDEO 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 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 FORD MONDEO'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 105k 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.

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 MONDEO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD MONDEO(1998)72%£1592£430Grp 30-42£2577
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)67%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£20
BMW Z3(1998)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)78%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180
MERCEDES SLK(1999)79%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180

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.

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Related Guides

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