Volkswagen Caddy (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 210 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,527

£211/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1896cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,527/year to run. 15 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Volkswagen Caddy

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

Diesel1896cc28 years old210 tests111k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1896cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,527

Per month£211/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

67% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Caddys from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 210 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 110,923 miles.

Got a Volkswagen Caddy 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 models284th of 325(bottom 13%)

Rank among Volkswagen models1038th of 1,086(bottom 5%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-8%(75% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-18%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

110,923

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Volkswagen Caddy had 110,923 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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.

Looking at a specific Volkswagen Caddy?

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 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 64%. The 1998 scores 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Caddy by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	1,931	27,508 mi
2020	88%	13,202	53,906 mi
2019	87%	18,573	63,050 mi
2018	87%	19,106	75,449 mi
2017	84%	21,344	81,861 mi
2016	82%	24,550	93,514 mi
2015	81%	22,659	99,855 mi
2014	80%	23,277	114,550 mi
2013	80%	24,686	120,918 mi
2012	79%	19,331	136,051 mi
2011	78%	25,166	135,711 mi
2010	75%	17,547	147,995 mi
2009	76%	13,027	149,844 mi
2008	77%	11,139	161,130 mi
2007	75%	9,178	159,205 mi
2006	75%	6,102	164,468 mi
2005	74%	4,454	166,551 mi
2004	74%	2,512	172,117 mi
2003	70%	573	142,939 mi
2002	72%	501	144,373 mi
2001	64%	291	134,932 mi
2000	69%	372	120,625 mi
1999	72%	484	117,159 mi
1998	67%	210	110,923 mi
1997	72%	90	121,741 mi
1992	80%	181	94,923 mi
1991	75%	166	125,877 mi
1990	74%	212	138,662 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 Series

2000 · 1951cc Diesel

£2,327/year

77%

+10%

Ford Fiesta

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,527/year

65%

-2%

Mercedes C

1997 · 2155cc Diesel

£2,456/year

81%

+14%

Peugeot 206

2000 · 1997cc Diesel

£2,527/year

65%

-2%

Check a Specific Volkswagen Caddy

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 Volkswagen Caddy

The 1998 Volkswagen Caddy is a family car. Our records list a 1896cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 210 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 13% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 110,923 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Caddy owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 Volkswagen Caddy Fuel Costs

The 1896cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 Volkswagen Caddy?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,527 (£211/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Volkswagen Caddy Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Caddys pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1998 Volkswagen Caddy

At 28 years old, the Volkswagen Caddy 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 89%.

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 111k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 Volkswagen Caddy 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
Volkswagen Caddy(1998)	67%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527
BMW 3 Series(2000)	77%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200
Ford Fiesta(1998)	65%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527same
Mercedes C(1997)	81%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,456-£71
Peugeot 206(2000)	65%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527same

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 Volkswagen Caddy

Is the 1998 Volkswagen Caddy reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 1998 Volkswagen Caddys ended in a pass, from 210 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Volkswagen Caddy cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,527 a year (£211 a month): £1,397 fuel, £375 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 Volkswagen Caddy?

67% of 210 MOT tests on the 1998 Volkswagen Caddy ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 284th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 13%).

Which year Volkswagen Caddy has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy has the highest MOT pass rate at 89% and the 2001 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Volkswagen Caddy?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Volkswagen Caddy is 110,923 miles, 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.