1998 Toyota Corolla 1.6L Petrol · S898 CNW
1998 Toyota Corolla (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01/08/1998. Recorded mileage 84,982 miles. MOT status: Failed.
- Make & Model
- TOYOTA COROLLA
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 84,982 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Archived Record
Registration no longer recorded by DVLA. This usually means the vehicle is now using a private plate.
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 1587cc
S898 CNW Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 29/01/2022
- 84,982 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 16 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
S898 CNW MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 1998 Toyota Corolla (S898 CNW) between January 2022 and January 2022.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 29 January 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (5 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Lighting (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 11 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Speedometer clearly inoperative (7.8 (b) (ii))”; “Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While the Toyota Corolla is legendary for reliability, this specific example shows significant signs of structural corrosion and neglected maintenance that could lead to high repair costs.
If you are considering this vehicle, your primary focus must be on the chassis and underside. The MOT history explicitly mentions corrosion on the nearside rear suspension mounting and the offside rear suspension mounting, as well as an earlier failure regarding excessive corrosion on the inner sill. You must have a professional mechanic inspect the structural integrity of the sills and subframes before committing to a purchase.
Secondly, check the recent work done on the braking system and electrical components. The vehicle has a history of fluctuating brakes, corroded brake pipes, and issues with the lambda sensor and speedometer. Ensure that the major failures noted in 2022—specifically the SRS (airbag) warning lamp and the inoperative speedometer—have been professionally rectified and aren't just 'cleared' temporarily. Negotiate the price down significantly to account for the likely need for upcoming suspension and brake component replacements.
Running this 1.6L petrol Corolla should be relatively affordable in terms of daily use. Being a late-90s model, it will fall into a moderate insurance group and a standard tax band, though exact figures depend on the specific policy. Fuel economy for this era of Corolla is generally decent for a non-hybrid petrol engine.
However, maintenance costs are the real variable here. Due to the documented corrosion in the brake lines, fuel pipes, and suspension mountings, you should budget for higher-than-average repair costs. Expect to spend more on parts and labour for structural repairs and braking system overhauls compared to a well-maintained contemporary.
A thorough inspection of the underside is non-negotiable. Look specifically for the 'corroded suspension component mountings' and 'corroded fuel pipes' mentioned in recent MOT tests. Check the condition of the CV boots, as the history shows a recurring failure of the nearside front outer drive shaft joint boot.
Inside the cabin, test every single button and gauge. The 2022 MOT recorded a major failure for an inoperative speedometer and an SRS warning lamp; verify these are fully functional. Finally, inspect the front suspension bushes, as the MOT history has consistently flagged worn nearside and offside front lower suspension arm pins or bushes over several years.
This 1998 Toyota Corolla presents a mixed picture; it has relatively low mileage for its age (84,982 miles), but the MOT history reveals a worrying pattern of recurring issues. While the engine appears robust, the vehicle has suffered from persistent braking system deterioration, suspension wear, and most critically, documented corrosion on suspension mountings and the inner sill. It is a high-maintenance prospect despite the brand's reputation.
While the Toyota Corolla is historically one of the most reliable models ever produced, individual vehicle history can deviate significantly due to age-related corrosion and maintenance neglect.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (S898 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as S898CNW.
TOYOTA
AVENSIS
CHRYSLER-JEEP
CHEROKEE
VAUXHALL
ARENA
MITSUBISHI
SHOGUN
HOLIDA RAMBLER
MOTORHOME
HARLEY DAVIDSON
FXDX
HONDA
VFR800 FI
SUBARU
IMPREZA
NISSAN
PATROL
FORD
TRANSIT
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
TOYOTA
CELICA