How much does a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT?

The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT has a 71% MOT pass rate based on 434 tests in 2026. This ranks 249 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN LT is most reliable?

The 1991 VOLKSWAGEN LT has the highest MOT pass rate at 84%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 57%.

VOLKSWAGEN LT (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of VOLKSWAGEN LTs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 434 tests. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT?

The average mileage for a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT is 143,947 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 434 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2459cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel2459cc28 years old434 tests144k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2459cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2459cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 28 years old, 71% of VOLKSWAGEN LTs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 434 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 143,947 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars249th of 340(top 73%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models993th of 1,118(top 89%)

vs national average-11%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-4%(75% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-14%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

143,947

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT has 143,947 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1991 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 57%. The 1998 sits between the two at 71%.

VOLKSWAGEN LT by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2011	76%	41	128,510 mi
2010	80%	40	173,889 mi
2007	62%	37	141,991 mi
2006	68%	530	150,866 mi
2005	70%	779	155,744 mi
2004	70%	711	159,494 mi
2003	70%	614	160,284 mi
2002	71%	492	157,964 mi
2001	64%	289	130,593 mi
2000	60%	283	143,854 mi
1999	72%	453	143,987 mi
1998	71%	434	143,947 mi
1997	68%	255	109,306 mi
1996	64%	173	125,666 mi
1995	63%	126	102,864 mi
1994	73%	92	120,022 mi
1993	57%	93	124,634 mi
1992	75%	92	113,536 mi
1991	84%	147	143,025 mi
1990	66%	183	127,188 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-1%

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

+5%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

+4%

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

+1%

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About the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT

The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT is a large car with a 2459cc diesel engine. 434 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 143,947 miles at 28 years old, VOLKSWAGEN LT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT Fuel Costs

The 2459cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 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 VOLKSWAGEN LT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN LT Reliability Trend

The VOLKSWAGEN LT has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT

At 28 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN LT 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 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 84%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN LT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 144k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN LT(1998)	71%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2195
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145

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.