CarCostCheck

RENAULT MEGANE (1998)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 246 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Petrol1390cc28 years old246 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1390cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,887
Per month£157/mo
Per week£36/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

73% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 28 years old, 73% of RENAULT MEGANEs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 246 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,962 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars193th of 340(top 57%)
Rank among RENAULT models410th of 636(top 64%)
vs national average-9%(82% avg)
vs 1998 cars average-2%(75% avg)
vs RENAULT average-7%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,962

Average miles

vs

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 RENAULT MEGANE has 78,962 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1998 sits between the two at 73%.

RENAULT MEGANE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202286%3648,492 mi
202187%1,28632,847 mi
202088%2,52639,612 mi
201987%4,88342,735 mi
201886%3,61350,742 mi
201783%8,84961,637 mi
201680%8,94168,131 mi
201576%12,40681,732 mi
201471%13,72889,656 mi
201371%14,13494,541 mi
201271%17,649100,114 mi
201170%25,760102,094 mi
201069%31,167106,119 mi
200971%19,161108,465 mi
200868%11,102102,196 mi
200768%12,02999,693 mi
200667%6,822100,922 mi
200567%4,21297,221 mi
200466%2,138100,225 mi
200371%1,47697,801 mi
200271%2,64694,998 mi
200173%1,73195,603 mi
200071%72692,251 mi
199974%39080,794 mi
199873%24678,962 mi
199776%15382,236 mi
199685%3458,237 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1998 RENAULT MEGANE

The 1998 RENAULT MEGANE is a small family car with a 1390cc petrol engine. 246 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 78,962 miles at 28 years old, RENAULT MEGANE 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 RENAULT MEGANE Fuel Costs

The 1390cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 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 RENAULT MEGANE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

RENAULT MEGANE Reliability Trend

Newer RENAULT MEGANEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 RENAULT MEGANE

At 28 years old, the RENAULT MEGANE 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 RENAULT MEGANE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

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

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT MEGANE(1998)73%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)71%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017+£130
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)89%£955£30Grp 5-15£1390-£497
NISSAN MICRA(1999)70%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£165

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.

Related Renault Models

Explore other Renault cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Renault Megane.

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