How much does a 1998 VOLVO V40 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 VOLVO V40?

The 1998 VOLVO V40 has a 67% MOT pass rate based on 336 tests in 2026. This ranks 295 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year VOLVO V40 is most reliable?

The 2019 VOLVO V40 has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 66%.

VOLVO V40 (1998)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO V40?

The average mileage for a 1998 VOLVO V40 is 97,373 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 336 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1834cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1834cc28 years old336 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1834cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1834cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 28 years old, 67% of VOLVO V40s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 336 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 97,373 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars295th of 340(top 87%)

Rank among VOLVO models627th of 635(top 99%)

vs national average-15%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-8%(75% avg)

vs VOLVO average-20%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

97,373

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 VOLVO V40 has 97,373 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 2019 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1998 sits between the two at 67%.

VOLVO V40 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	88%	13,557	37,595 mi
2018	85%	21,560	46,813 mi
2017	84%	23,480	57,396 mi
2016	82%	27,152	67,465 mi
2015	80%	28,590	79,222 mi
2014	80%	30,222	89,093 mi
2013	80%	20,970	99,522 mi
2012	76%	4,370	105,566 mi
2004	66%	1,585	125,049 mi
2003	66%	1,843	125,362 mi
2002	68%	1,201	124,584 mi
2001	70%	959	121,513 mi
2000	66%	547	116,773 mi
1999	67%	544	104,983 mi
1998	67%	336	97,373 mi
1997	70%	274	97,758 mi
1996	95%	38	92,559 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+6%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+4%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+12%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

+8%

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About the 1998 VOLVO V40

The 1998 VOLVO V40 is a premium with a 1834cc petrol engine. 336 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 87% of 1998 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 97,373 miles at 28 years old, VOLVO V40 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 V40 Fuel Costs

The 1834cc 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 V40?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLVO V40 Reliability Trend

Newer VOLVO V40s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 VOLVO V40

At 28 years old, the VOLVO V40 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 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 VOLVO V40'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

Medium risk

With an average of 97k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 V40 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO V40(1998)	67%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380

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.