How much does a 1998 VOLVO S90 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 VOLVO S90?

The 1998 VOLVO S90 has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 42 tests in 2026. This ranks 284 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year VOLVO S90 is most reliable?

The 2019 VOLVO S90 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 81%.

VOLVO S90 (1998)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO S90?

The average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO S90 is 123,512 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 42 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2922cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol2922cc28 years old42 tests124k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2922cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2922cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,777

Per month£231/mo

Per week£53/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 28 years old, 69% of VOLVO S90s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 42 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,512 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars284th of 340(top 84%)

Rank among VOLVO models619th of 635(top 97%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-6%(75% avg)

vs VOLVO average-18%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,512

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 VOLVO S90 has 123,512 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 2019 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 81%. The 1998 sits between the two at 69%.

VOLVO S90 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	92%	3,157	53,556 mi
2018	90%	4,765	66,509 mi
2017	88%	2,703	73,752 mi
2016	87%	563	84,946 mi
1998	69%	42	123,512 mi
1997	81%	159	116,464 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-2%

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+9%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+9%

PORSCHE BOXSTER

2000 · 2700cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

+13%

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About the 1998 VOLVO S90

The 1998 VOLVO S90 is a premium performance with a 2922cc petrol engine. 42 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 84% of 1998 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 123,512 miles at 28 years old, VOLVO S90 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 VOLVO S90 Fuel Costs

The 2922cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 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 S90?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLVO S90 Reliability Trend

Newer VOLVO S90s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VOLVO S90

At 28 years old, the VOLVO S90 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 VOLVO S90'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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 124k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% 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 VOLVO S90 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO S90(1998)	69%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2777
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597-£180
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2000)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£530

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.