CarCostCheck

RELIANT ROBIN (1998)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 31 real MOT tests in 2024.

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Total Tests (2024)

31

Avg Mileage

48,166 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,540

Is the 1998 RELIANT ROBIN reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RELIANT brand average of 79%.

At 26 years old, 74% of RELIANT ROBINs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 31 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 48,166 miles.

How does the 1998 RELIANT ROBIN compare?

Rank among all 1998 cars182th out of 340(top 54%)
Rank among all RELIANT models4th out of 5(top 80%)
vs national average-8% (82% avg)
vs 1998 cars average-1% (75% avg)
vs RELIANT average-5% (79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 1998 RELIANT ROBIN has 48,166 miles on the clock, 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.

How much does a 1998 RELIANT ROBIN cost to run?

Fuel (Petrol, 848cc)
£955
🏛️Road Tax
£30
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs

Higher than average due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,540
Per month£128/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

RELIANT ROBIN by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200084%3855,496 mi
199975%5141,343 mi
199874%3148,166 mi

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About the 1998 RELIANT ROBIN

The 1998 RELIANT ROBIN is a city car with a 848cc petrol engine. 31 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 48,166 miles at 26 years old, RELIANT ROBIN 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 RELIANT ROBIN Fuel Costs

The modest 848cc 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 £955 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 RELIANT ROBIN?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,540 128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £30 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1998 RELIANT ROBIN

At 26 years old, the RELIANT ROBIN 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 31 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 1998 RELIANT ROBIN

If reliability is your priority, there's one similar car with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: