Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet?

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 Daihatsu Hijet?

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 Daihatsu Hijet?

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.

How many 1998 Daihatsu Hijet vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,573 vehicles, the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.8%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet are: Service brake: efficiency below requirements (63.4% of vehicles), Steering column top bearing slightly worn (38.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (34.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet?

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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Daihatsu Hijet (1998)

1,573 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.8% first-time pass rate

1998 Daihatsu Hijet

CarHunch analysed 1,573 real MOT records for the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Daihatsu Hijet is a notably unreliable proposition at first MOT, with only a 62.5% pass rate against the UK average of 80%—and nearly a quarter of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects, which should give any potential buyer genuine pause. The diesel variants are particularly problematic, passing at just 35.2% compared to petrol's 67.2%, so fuel type matters significantly here.

These Hijets are running at sensible mileages for their age (median 57,215 miles), yet each one typically racks up 2.89 failures and 9.6 advisories per test, pointing to systemic wear and maintenance issues rather than accident damage. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows light commercials well—the high failure rate means checking brakes, suspension, and corrosion is not optional.

The 1998 Daihatsu Hijet has a below-average first-time pass rate (67.8% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

67.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.89

Over 8.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

57k

Middle half: 42k–74k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 9.6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,573 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,573 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 63.4%

Service brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside rear brake recording little or no effort · Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 38.9%

Steering column top bearing slightly worn

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Tyre wear 34.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 23%

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Wipers & washers 22.4%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid · Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Exhaust & emissions 21.8%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Other issues 20.1%

Horn not working

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,573 Daihatsu Hijet cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Daihatsu Hijet

Based on MOT data from 1,573 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (85%)	1,342	67.5%	3.21
Diesel (14%)	228	70.5%	0.97

Colour Breakdown

Based on 14,660 Daihatsu Hijet vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 52.4%

7,684

Blue 20.2%

2,960

Red 12.4%

1,817

Grey 7.9%

1,156

Green 3%

445

Yellow 1%

149

Orange 0.9%

133

Maroon 0.7%

Black 0.7%

Silver 0.6%

Brown 0.1%

Multi-colour 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

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

57,215

typical

42,053

low mileage

74,486

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Daihatsu Hijet vehicles fall between 42,053 and 74,486 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 42,053 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 42,053–74,486 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Daihatsu Hijets sit.

⚠ Over 100,556 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Daihatsu Hijet — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 1998 Daihatsu Hijets are still active.

Numbers are declining — 59 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.89

Avg failures per vehicle

9.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Daihatsu Hijet: All Hijet years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Daihatsu Hijet stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on