Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Daf Unknown?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Daf Unknown?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Daf Unknown?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Daf Unknown?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Daf Unknown (1998)

274 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.8% first-time pass rate

1998 Daf Unknown

CarHunch analysed 274 real MOT records for the 1998 Daf Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 78.2% below UK average

1.8%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

318,887

typical mileage

140,360–881,288 middle half

0.4%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.03

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Daf Unknown

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Daf Unknown

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	273	1.8%	0.03
Gas (0%)	1	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Daf Unknown vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

140,360

low mileage

318,887

typical

881,288

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Daf Unknown vehicles fall between 140,360 and 881,288 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.03

Avg failures per vehicle

0.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Daf Unknown

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

23.5%

Oil leak, but not excessive
17.6%

poor image both headlamps
17.6%

some corrosion front and rear chassis rails and outriggers
11.8%

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion
11.8%

various body panels are damaged
11.8%

underside corrosion in places
11.8%

Oil leak Slight gearbox oil leak ()
11.8%

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil O/S/R Front shock slight oil leak

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Daf Unknown?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Daf Unknown:

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009