1998 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
569 MOT tests on the 1998 Ford Galaxy are in this dataset, and 66.1% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 4.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.1%) and lighting & signalling (15.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 71 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 37.0% versus 27.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 41.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 36.4% in 2021 to 29.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.1% | 103 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 86 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 77 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.3% | 64 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 59 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.8% | 56 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 71 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 49 |
| 3 | Joints | 41 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 38 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 31 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 29 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 41.8% | 238 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.5% | 236 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.8% | 175 |
| 4 | Other defects | 26.9% | 153 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.7% | 129 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 112 |
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 | 76 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 110 | 37.3% |
| 150k+ | 230 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 373 | 36.2% |
| Diesel | 196 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 195 | 36.4% |
| 2022 | 139 | 34.5% |
| 2023 | 98 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 82 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 55 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Galaxy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.1% 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 (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Ford Galaxys pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 569 1998 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Ford Galaxy?
Suspension, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.1%).
Does the 1998 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.6% in the 60-90k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 569 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.