How much does a 1998 VOLVO S40 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 VOLVO S40?

The 1998 VOLVO S40 has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 356 tests in 2026. This ranks 175 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year VOLVO S40 is most reliable?

The 2012 VOLVO S40 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 65%.

VOLVO S40 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 VOLVO S40 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of VOLVO S40s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 356 tests. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO S40?

The average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO S40 is 98,379 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 356 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1588cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1588cc28 years old356 tests98k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1588cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1588cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,957

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 28 years old, 74% of VOLVO S40s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 356 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 98,379 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars175th of 340(top 51%)

Rank among VOLVO models561th of 635(top 88%)

vs national average-8%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-1%(75% avg)

vs VOLVO average-13%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

98,379

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 VOLVO S40 has 98,379 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 2012 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1998 sits between the two at 74%.

VOLVO S40 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	74%	66	94,541 mi
2012	76%	2,267	101,974 mi
2011	74%	2,791	110,521 mi
2010	72%	3,808	110,559 mi
2009	74%	4,499	109,564 mi
2008	72%	5,487	115,488 mi
2007	73%	3,388	119,784 mi
2006	73%	3,314	119,567 mi
2005	70%	2,790	116,994 mi
2004	70%	2,223	106,865 mi
2003	67%	1,280	104,893 mi
2002	69%	823	102,845 mi
2001	71%	599	101,232 mi
2000	65%	379	95,420 mi
1999	66%	425	95,707 mi
1998	74%	356	98,379 mi
1997	72%	219	99,179 mi
1996	73%	40	84,454 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-1%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-3%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+15%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-4%

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About the 1998 VOLVO S40

The 1998 VOLVO S40 is a premium with a 1588cc petrol engine. 356 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 98,379 miles at 28 years old, VOLVO S40 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 VOLVO S40 Fuel Costs

The 1588cc 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 VOLVO S40?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLVO S40 Reliability Trend

Newer VOLVO S40s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VOLVO S40

At 28 years old, the VOLVO S40 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 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 VOLVO S40'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 98k 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 VOLVO S40 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO S40(1998)	74%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1957
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£130
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£60
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£567
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235

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.