1998 Fiat Scudo — MOT failures & pass rate
286 MOT tests on the 1998 Fiat Scudo are in this dataset, and 74.1% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 1998 Scudo comes out 3.7pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.9%) and lighting & signalling (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and exhaust system — service brake performance alone was recorded 25 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 34.4% versus 14.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.0% in 2021 to 24.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.9% | 37 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.1% | 29 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 16 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 14 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 14 |
| 5 | Joints | 12 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.3% | 101 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.1% | 89 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.9% | 74 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.8% | 68 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 51 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 51 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 47 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 54 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 55 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 73 | 26.0% |
| 2022 | 67 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 62 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 43 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 41 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Scudo
On a 1998 Scudo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Fiat Scudos pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 286 1998 Fiat Scudo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Fiat Scudo?
Suspension, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.2%).
Does the 1998 Scudo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 60-90k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 286 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.