Ford Transit (1998)
1998 Ford Transit
CarHunch analysed 48,962 real MOT records for the 1998 Ford Transit. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Ford Transit is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 65.3% compared to 80%—meaning one in three will fail their MOT. Worse, nearly a quarter of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious red flag for any prospective buyer.
These Transits are carrying substantial mileage at 123,000 miles median, and with an average of three failures and ten advisories per vehicle, expect ongoing maintenance costs to mount quickly. Before purchasing, have an independent pre-buy inspection completed by a mechanic familiar with Transits, focusing on braking, suspension, and structural integrity, because at this age and condition the difference between a serviceable van and a money pit is significant.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 1998 Ford Transit
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.
- ⚠️ 23.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Ford Transit
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (98%) | 48,097 | 65.3% | 3.01 |
| Petrol (2%) | 806 | 69% | 3.05 |
| LPG (0%) | 51 | 68.3% | 3.14 |
| Electric (0%) | 4 | 71.7% | 1.75 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 54.2% | 5.5 |
| LNG (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 2 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 80% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Ford Transit 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.
Half of all 1998 Ford Transit vehicles fall between 96,632 and 152,952 miles.
1998 Ford Transit — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,159 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Ford Transit
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
53.3%
Oil leak
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40.3%
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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39.6%
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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33.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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30.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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29.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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27.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Transit?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.