CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL COMBO (1998)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 81 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

83%

Total Tests (2024)

81

Avg Mileage

123,220 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,577

Is the 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO reliable?

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

At 26 years old, 83% of VAUXHALL COMBOs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 81 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,220 miles.

How does the 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO compare?

Rank among all 1998 cars70th out of 340(top 21%)
Rank among all VAUXHALL models540th out of 882(top 61%)
vs national average+1% (82% avg)
vs 1998 cars average+8% (75% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-1% (84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO has 123,220 miles on the clock, 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.

Best year to buy a VAUXHALL COMBO?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1998 sits between the two at 83%.

How much does a 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Diesel, 1686cc)
£1,037
🏛️Road Tax
£135
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,577
Per month£131/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

VAUXHALL COMBO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202185%2,25644,074 mi
202082%16,65050,243 mi
201984%26,18956,702 mi
201881%5,21068,773 mi
201777%6,62482,586 mi
201675%9,35496,356 mi
201574%9,819102,757 mi
201473%9,086106,793 mi
201372%6,354111,544 mi
201270%5,907115,666 mi
201174%13,518110,613 mi
201072%12,858110,980 mi
200969%8,183121,545 mi
200868%10,804129,928 mi
200768%9,039133,235 mi
200666%6,903128,920 mi
200567%4,689128,941 mi
200465%4,226139,747 mi
200365%3,142138,909 mi
200267%960137,264 mi
200166%180111,186 mi
200067%83110,182 mi
199984%106105,727 mi
199883%81123,220 mi
199779%47134,272 mi
199675%79107,082 mi
199571%49116,969 mi

Checking a specific VAUXHALL COMBO?

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About the 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO

The 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO is a family car with a 1686cc diesel engine. 81 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 21% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 123,220 miles at 26 years old, VAUXHALL COMBO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 VAUXHALL COMBO Fuel Costs

The 1686cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,577 (£131/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £135 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL COMBO Reliability Trend

Newer VAUXHALL COMBOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO

At 26 years old, the VAUXHALL COMBO 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 85%. Note: with only 81 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 1998 VAUXHALL COMBO

The VAUXHALL COMBO is actually the most reliable option among similar diesel family cars from this era. Here are comparable diesel cars with similar engines: