Renault Twingo (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 45 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,660

£138/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1149cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £1,660/year to run. 14 points above average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Renault Twingo

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

Petrol1149cc28 years old45 tests126k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1149cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,660

Per month£138/mo

Per week£32/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

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Renault brand average of 80%.

96% of MOT tests on Renault Twingos from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 45 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 126,152 miles.

Got a Renault Twingo 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 models13th of 325(top 4%)

Rank among Renault models36th of 615(top 6%)

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

vs 1998 models average+21%(75% avg)

vs Renault average+16%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

126,152

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Renault Twingo had 126,152 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.

Looking at a specific Renault Twingo?

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 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 69%. The 1998 scores 96%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Renault Twingo by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	91%	354	21,412 mi
2018	86%	1,248	30,056 mi
2017	86%	2,255	32,001 mi
2016	80%	5,274	41,360 mi
2015	78%	9,067	48,555 mi
2014	76%	1,663	52,904 mi
2013	73%	1,895	58,535 mi
2012	71%	2,449	66,973 mi
2011	71%	4,902	73,226 mi
2010	71%	7,802	75,680 mi
2009	71%	3,066	77,443 mi
2008	69%	5,402	87,121 mi
2007	71%	906	85,878 mi
2002	83%	47	101,579 mi
2001	87%	46	93,158 mi
1998	96%	45	126,152 mi
1994	82%	45	130,825 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-23%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

-7%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-26%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-26%

Check a Specific Renault Twingo

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 Renault Twingo

The 1998 Renault Twingo is a city car. Our records list a 1149cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 45 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 126,152 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Renault Twingo owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 Renault Twingo Fuel Costs

The modest 1149cc 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 Renault Twingo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,660 (£138/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Renault Twingo Reliability Trend

Newer Renault Twingos 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 Renault Twingo

At 28 years old, the Renault Twingo 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. Note: with only 45 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 126k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 Twingo 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
Renault Twingo(1998)	96%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,660
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£668
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810+£150
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£523
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£523

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 Renault Twingo

Is the 1998 Renault Twingo reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 1998 Renault Twingos ended in a pass, from 45 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Renault Twingo cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,660 a year (£138 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Renault Twingo?

96% of 45 MOT tests on the 1998 Renault Twingo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 13th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (top 4%).

Which year Renault Twingo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Renault Twingo has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2008 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Renault Twingo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Renault Twingo is 126,152 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.