Honda Beat (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 37 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,960

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

650cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £1,960/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol650cc28 years old37 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 650cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,960

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Honda brand average of 84%.

70% of MOT tests on Honda Beats from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 37 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 105,651 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models258th of 325(bottom 21%)

Rank among Honda models366th of 402(bottom 10%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-5%(75% avg)

vs Honda average-14%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

105,651

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Honda Beat had 105,651 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.

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Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Polo

2000 · 1000cc Petrol

£1,960/year

71%

+1%

Nissan Micra

1997 · 998cc Petrol

£1,960/year

70%

same

Renault Clio

1999 · 1149cc Petrol

£2,160/year

65%

-5%

Peugeot 106

1997 · 1124cc Petrol

£1,960/year

70%

same

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About the 1998 Honda Beat

The 1998 Honda Beat is a city car. Our records list a 650cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 37 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 21% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 105,651 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Honda Beat owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 Honda Beat Fuel Costs

The modest 650cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 Honda Beat?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,960 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1998 Honda Beat

At 28 years old, the Honda Beat 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. Note: with only 37 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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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.

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 Honda Beat 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
Honda Beat(1998)	70%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,960
Volkswagen Polo(2000)	71%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,960same
Nissan Micra(1997)	70%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,960same
Renault Clio(1999)	65%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160+£200
Peugeot 106(1997)	70%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,960same

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 Honda Beat

Is the 1998 Honda Beat reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 1998 Honda Beats ended in a pass, from 37 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Honda Beat cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,960 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Honda Beat?

70% of 37 MOT tests on the 1998 Honda Beat ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 258th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 21%).

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Honda Beat?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Honda Beat is 105,651 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.