How much does a 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT?

The 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 91 tests in 2026. This ranks 99 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year SUZUKI SWIFT is most reliable?

The 2021 SUZUKI SWIFT has the highest MOT pass rate at 99%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 67%.

SUZUKI SWIFT (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of SUZUKI SWIFTs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 91 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT?

The average mileage for a 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT is 50,919 miles, 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 91 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1298cc28 years old91 tests51k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1298cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1298cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Per week£33/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

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 28 years old, 80% of SUZUKI SWIFTs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 91 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 50,919 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars99th of 340(top 29%)

Rank among SUZUKI models166th of 310(top 54%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+5%(75% avg)

vs SUZUKI average-2%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

50,919

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT has 50,919 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 2021 model with a 99% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1998 sits between the two at 80%.

SUZUKI SWIFT by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	99%	74	40,049 mi
2020	95%	1,905	24,793 mi
2019	92%	17,269	32,007 mi
2018	90%	15,924	39,871 mi
2017	89%	12,685	44,593 mi
2016	88%	16,630	52,473 mi
2015	87%	19,751	58,999 mi
2014	85%	16,455	65,097 mi
2013	83%	14,658	71,340 mi
2012	81%	15,679	79,275 mi
2011	78%	11,230	84,317 mi
2010	74%	11,283	85,544 mi
2009	71%	13,433	88,317 mi
2008	69%	14,871	93,714 mi
2007	69%	14,402	95,140 mi
2006	67%	8,309	98,000 mi
2005	68%	2,653	97,383 mi
2003	73%	120	51,322 mi
2002	69%	327	51,235 mi
2001	73%	162	51,235 mi
2000	75%	77	50,390 mi
1999	72%	129	61,189 mi
1998	80%	91	50,919 mi
1997	89%	37	71,511 mi
1996	85%	52	61,581 mi
1995	80%	30	42,871 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-7%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-9%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+9%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-10%

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About the 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT

The 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT is a small family car with a 1298cc petrol engine. 91 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 50,919 miles at 28 years old, SUZUKI SWIFT 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 SUZUKI SWIFT Fuel Costs

The 1298cc 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 SUZUKI SWIFT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SUZUKI SWIFT Reliability Trend

Newer SUZUKI SWIFTs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT

At 28 years old, the SUZUKI SWIFT 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 99%. Note: with only 91 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 SUZUKI SWIFT'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 SUZUKI SWIFT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SUZUKI SWIFT(1998)	80%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1737
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827+£90
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£280
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£347
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£15

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.