Ford Puma (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 491 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,761

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1679cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,761/year to run. 14 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Ford Puma

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

Petrol1679cc28 years old491 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1679cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,761

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

68% of MOT tests on Ford Pumas from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 491 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 56,078 miles.

Got a Ford Puma 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 models275th of 325(bottom 16%)

Rank among Ford models1070th of 1,136(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-7%(75% avg)

vs Ford average-17%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

56,078

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Ford Puma had 56,078 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.

Looking at a specific Ford Puma?

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 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Puma by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	100%	30	20,629 mi
2021	95%	458	20,056 mi
2020	89%	417	26,310 mi
2002	69%	857	81,143 mi
2001	71%	1,097	83,232 mi
2000	71%	1,020	83,632 mi
1999	70%	922	82,933 mi
1998	68%	491	56,078 mi
1997	77%	71	64,687 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+5%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+3%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+21%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+2%

Check a Specific Ford Puma

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 Puma

The 1998 Ford Puma is a family car. Our records list a 1679cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 491 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 16% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 56,078 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Puma 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 Puma Fuel Costs

The 1679cc 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 Puma?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,761 (£230/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Ford Puma Reliability Trend

Newer Ford Pumas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 11 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1998 Ford Puma

At 28 years old, the Ford Puma 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

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% 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 Puma 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 Puma(1998)	68%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£433
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£951
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£578

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 Puma

Is the 1998 Ford Puma reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 1998 Ford Pumas ended in a pass, from 491 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Ford Puma cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,761 a year (£230 a month): £1,631 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 Puma?

68% of 491 MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Puma ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 275th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 16%).

Which year Ford Puma has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Ford Puma has the highest MOT pass rate at 95% and the 1998 the lowest at 68%. 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 Puma?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Puma is 56,078 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.