CarCostCheck

RENAULT TWINGO (1998)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 45 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,375

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1149cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £1375/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Petrol1149cc28 years old45 tests126k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1149cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 1149cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,375
Per month£115/mo
Per week£26/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

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 28 years old, 96% of RENAULT TWINGOs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 45 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 126,152 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars14th of 340(top 4%)
Rank among RENAULT models37th of 636(top 6%)
vs national average+14%(82% avg)
vs 1998 cars average+21%(75% avg)
vs RENAULT average+16%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

126,152

Average miles

vs

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 RENAULT TWINGO has 126,152 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 69%. The 1998 sits between the two at 96%.

RENAULT TWINGO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201991%35421,412 mi
201886%1,24830,056 mi
201786%2,25532,001 mi
201680%5,27441,360 mi
201578%9,06748,555 mi
201476%1,66352,904 mi
201373%1,89558,535 mi
201271%2,44966,973 mi
201171%4,90273,226 mi
201071%7,80275,680 mi
200971%3,06677,443 mi
200869%5,40287,121 mi
200771%90685,878 mi
200283%47101,579 mi
200187%4693,158 mi
199896%45126,152 mi
199482%45130,825 mi

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About the 1998 RENAULT TWINGO

The 1998 RENAULT TWINGO is a city car with a 1149cc petrol engine. 45 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 126,152 miles at 28 years old, 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 £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 RENAULT TWINGO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,375 115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

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

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

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT TWINGO(1998)96%£955£165Grp 5-15£1375
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£452
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)89%£955£30Grp 5-15£1390+£15
NISSAN MICRA(1999)70%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£347
TOYOTA YARIS(2000)70%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£347

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

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