Vauxhall Omega (1998)
1998 Vauxhall Omega
CarHunch analysed 13,399 real MOT records for the 1998 Vauxhall Omega. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Vauxhall Omega passes its MOT first time just 69.2% of the time—a notable 10.8 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—and 16% have recorded dangerous defects, which is a legitimate concern for a buyer. Petrol and diesel variants perform virtually identically, both hovering around 69%, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
These cars are carrying genuine mileage for their age, with a median of 108,691 miles, yet they're averaging nearly two failures per MOT and 6.5 advisories, suggesting aging components and wear are becoming serious issues. If you're considering one, budget for repairs before purchase and have a full pre-buy inspection focused on braking and suspension systems—the twin weak spots that drive both failures and dangerous defect flags.
What to check before buying a 1998 Vauxhall Omega
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 Vauxhall Omega
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (92%) | 12,325 | 69.1% | 1.91 |
| Diesel (7%) | 998 | 69.9% | 2.36 |
| LPG (1%) | 73 | 73.9% | 1.71 |
| Fuel Cells (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 58.3% | 5 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Vauxhall Omega 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 Vauxhall Omega vehicles fall between 88,241 and 130,258 miles.
1998 Vauxhall Omega — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 44 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Vauxhall Omega
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
46%
Oil leak
-
40.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
40.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
37.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
34.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
29.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
28.7%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
22.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Omega?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.