Vauxhall Vectra (1998)
1998 Vauxhall Vectra
CarHunch analysed 79,716 real MOT records for the 1998 Vauxhall Vectra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Vectra struggles to match the UK average, with a 67.5% first-time pass rate versus the national 80%, signalling persistent reliability concerns that span both petrol and diesel variants equally. A dangerous defect rate of 16% is notably high and worth taking seriously during any purchase inspection.
At around 100,000 miles median, these cars are running at expected mileage for their age, but the average 2.32 failures per MOT test reveals structural weaknesses rather than age-related wear. Before buying, have an independent mechanic inspect the braking system and suspension—the 7.5 advisories per vehicle suggest these are the common trouble spots for this generation.
What to check before buying a 1998 Vauxhall Vectra
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 Vectra
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (85%) | 67,703 | 67.7% | 2.32 |
| Diesel (15%) | 11,926 | 66.9% | 2.35 |
| LPG (0%) | 85 | 70.4% | 1.81 |
| LNG (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Vauxhall Vectra 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 Vectra vehicles fall between 82,024 and 121,182 miles.
1998 Vauxhall Vectra — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 276 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Vauxhall Vectra
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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46.2%
Oil leak
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45.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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40.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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34.6%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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26%
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Vectra?
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