How much does a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN?

The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 35 tests in 2026. This ranks 31 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN is most reliable?

The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 2009 at 61%.

VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVANs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 35 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN is 93,564 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 35 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,895

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2459cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1895/year to run. 9 points above average.

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£4.99

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Diesel2459cc28 years old35 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2459cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2459cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,895

Per month£158/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.

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Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 28 years old, 91% of VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVANs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 35 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,564 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars31th of 340(top 9%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models423th of 1,118(top 38%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+16%(75% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average+6%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,564

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN has 93,564 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.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 61%. The 1998 sits between the two at 91%.

VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	88%	34	43,771 mi
2020	92%	50	57,418 mi
2018	75%	36	60,042 mi
2015	82%	62	75,152 mi
2014	89%	65	58,982 mi
2013	79%	67	84,526 mi
2012	80%	69	68,962 mi
2011	83%	53	110,522 mi
2010	91%	75	66,457 mi
2009	61%	57	76,161 mi
2008	70%	50	99,261 mi
2007	76%	70	87,633 mi
2006	69%	49	94,388 mi
2005	80%	45	93,415 mi
2004	59%	39	122,764 mi
2003	71%	31	92,102 mi
1998	91%	35	93,564 mi
1994	65%	31	145,391 mi
1992	66%	32	155,045 mi
1991	66%	94	129,598 mi
1990	68%	114	129,260 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-21%

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

-15%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

-16%

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

-19%

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About the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN

The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN is a large car with a 2459cc diesel engine. 35 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 9% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 93,564 miles at 28 years old, VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN 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 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN 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 MOTOR CARAVAN?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVANs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN

At 28 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 35 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN'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

Medium risk

With an average of 94k 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 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN(1998)	91%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£1895
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155

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.