How much does a 1998 TOYOTA STARLET cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 TOYOTA STARLET?

The 1998 TOYOTA STARLET has a 75% MOT pass rate based on 3,819 tests in 2026. This ranks 159 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year TOYOTA STARLET is most reliable?

The 2008 TOYOTA STARLET has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 75%.

TOYOTA STARLET (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 TOYOTA STARLET reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of TOYOTA STARLETs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 3,819 tests. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 TOYOTA STARLET?

The average mileage for a 1998 TOYOTA STARLET is 93,420 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 3,819 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1332cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 7 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific TOYOTA STARLET

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

Petrol1332cc28 years old3,819 tests93k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1332cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1332cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this TOYOTA STARLET

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 28 years old, 75% of TOYOTA STARLETs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,819 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,420 miles.

Got a TOYOTA STARLET 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 cars159th of 340(top 47%)

Rank among TOYOTA models774th of 996(top 78%)

vs national average-7%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+0%(75% avg)

vs TOYOTA average-9%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,420

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 TOYOTA STARLET has 93,420 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.

Looking at a specific TOYOTA STARLET?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2008 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 75%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

TOYOTA STARLET by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	86%	37	60,314 mi
2008	85%	60	126,718 mi
2007	84%	62	124,435 mi
2006	83%	60	128,073 mi
2005	80%	46	118,635 mi
2001	60%	35	116,855 mi
1999	76%	1,702	89,976 mi
1998	75%	3,819	93,420 mi
1997	76%	2,547	91,040 mi
1996	77%	1,119	92,042 mi
1995	79%	80	89,571 mi
1994	82%	83	102,032 mi
1993	89%	36	85,812 mi
1991	73%	30	94,320 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-4%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+14%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-5%

Check a Specific Toyota Starlet

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 TOYOTA STARLET

The 1998 TOYOTA STARLET is a small family car with a 1332cc petrol engine. 3,819 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 93,420 miles at 28 years old, TOYOTA STARLET 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 TOYOTA STARLET Fuel Costs

The 1332cc 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 TOYOTA STARLET?

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 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA STARLET Reliability Trend

The TOYOTA STARLET has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 TOYOTA STARLET

At 28 years old, the TOYOTA STARLET 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 TOYOTA STARLET'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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 93k 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.

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 TOYOTA STARLET stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
TOYOTA STARLET(1998)	75%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£60
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£130
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£497
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 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.