Suzuki Wagon-R+ (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 76 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

50%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1171cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

50% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 32 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Suzuki Wagon-R+

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

Petrol1171cc28 years old76 tests63k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1171cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/mo

Per week£42/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

50% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 32 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Suzuki brand average of 82%.

50% of MOT tests on Suzuki Wagon-R+s from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 76 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 62,659 miles.

Got a Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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 models323rd of 325(bottom 1%)

Rank among Suzuki models305th of 305(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-32%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-25%(75% avg)

vs Suzuki average-32%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,659

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+ had 62,659 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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.

Looking at a specific Suzuki Wagon-R+?

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 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 74%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 62%. The 1998 scores 50%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Suzuki Wagon-R+ by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	73%	841	71,571 mi
2006	74%	904	74,820 mi
2005	72%	2,134	75,766 mi
2004	72%	2,775	77,618 mi
2003	70%	2,733	79,511 mi
2002	67%	2,047	76,409 mi
2001	70%	1,396	79,978 mi
2000	65%	663	78,643 mi
1999	62%	141	66,893 mi
1998	50%	76	62,659 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%

+39%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+20%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+20%

Check a Specific Suzuki Wagon-R+

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 Suzuki Wagon-R+

The 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+ is a city car. Our records list a 1171cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 76 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 1% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 62,659 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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 Wagon-R+ Fuel Costs

The modest 1171cc 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 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 50% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Suzuki Wagon-R+ Reliability Trend

Newer Suzuki Wagon-R+s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+

At 28 years old, the Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 74%. Note: with only 76 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 50% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 Wagon-R+ 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
Suzuki Wagon-R+(1998)	50%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£168
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£350
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23

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 Suzuki Wagon-R+

Is the 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+ reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 50% of MOT tests on 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+s ended in a pass, from 76 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 32 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+ cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

50% of 76 MOT tests on the 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+ ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 323rd of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 1%).

Which year Suzuki Wagon-R+ has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Suzuki Wagon-R+ has the highest MOT pass rate at 74% and the 1999 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Suzuki Wagon-R+ is 62,659 miles, 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.