1998 Ford Transit · 3,373 MOT tests
1998 Ford Transit reliability
1998 Ford Transits fail 37.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 24 Transit years (3,373 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Transits: 36.7%)
- 37.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Transits: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 95,594
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,373
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 14% of tests fail here (46% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 56% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Ford Transit
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.5%
- Suspension14.7%
- Body, chassis and structure14%
- Brakes11.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.7%
- Seat belts and airbags3.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.91%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.08%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.76%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Body structure corroded, rigidity reduced 2.43%
Serious corrosion in the body structure weakens crash protection and handling, so specialist inspection is essential.
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 2.4%
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 2.37%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (16.16%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (11.5%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.5%) · Wheel bearing slight play (7.47%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.4%) · Suspension mounting area showing corrosion (5.87%)
Other years
Every Ford Transit year
The full picture: Ford Transit reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Transit, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Ford Transit reliable?
1998 Ford Transits fail 37.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 24 Transit years (3,373 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Ford Transit MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6.91% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.08% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.76% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Ford Transit have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Ford Transit shows 95,594 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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