How much does a 1998 VOLVO S70 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 VOLVO S70?

The 1998 VOLVO S70 has a 75% MOT pass rate based on 566 tests in 2026. This ranks 164 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year VOLVO S70 is most reliable?

The 1999 VOLVO S70 has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 75%.

VOLVO S70 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 VOLVO S70 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of VOLVO S70s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 566 tests. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO S70?

The average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO S70 is 141,096 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 566 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1984cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1984cc28 years old566 tests141k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1984cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,197

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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 28 years old, 75% of VOLVO S70s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 566 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 141,096 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars164th of 340(top 48%)

Rank among VOLVO models543th of 635(top 86%)

vs national average-7%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+0%(75% avg)

vs VOLVO average-12%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

141,096

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 VOLVO S70 has 141,096 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 1999 model with a 80% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 75%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

VOLVO S70 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	80%	240	127,603 mi
1998	75%	566	141,096 mi
1997	79%	520	137,308 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-4%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+4%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

same

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About the 1998 VOLVO S70

The 1998 VOLVO S70 is a premium with a 1984cc petrol engine. 566 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 141,096 miles at 28 years old, VOLVO S70 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 VOLVO S70 Fuel Costs

The 1984cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 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 S70?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLVO S70 Reliability Trend

The VOLVO S70 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VOLVO S70

At 28 years old, the VOLVO S70 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 VOLVO S70's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 141k 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 VOLVO S70 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO S70(1998)	75%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180

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.