Used car guide

1998 Ford Galaxy petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Ford Galaxy first registered in 1998 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 108 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 108 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

108MOTs of 1998 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
45%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 65%)
4,400typical miles a year
63%had suspension flagged

Common 1998 Ford Galaxy petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Ford Galaxy petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    63% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    44% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    35% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Ford Galaxy petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Galaxy?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Ford Galaxy compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023295Lights and electrics 12%
20221,348Tyres 25%
20212,846Tyres 27%
20204,931Tyres 27%
20197,881Tyres 26%
201810,703Tyres 28%
201715,775Tyres 30%
201614,510Tyres 31%
20157,831Tyres 36%
201413,378Lights and electrics 38%
201312,058Suspension 39%
201213,514Suspension 45%
201113,334Suspension 46%
201012,783Suspension 48%
200911,655Suspension 52%
200810,514Suspension 57%
20079,997Suspension 61%
20065,354Suspension 62%
20054,374Suspension 64%
20042,681Suspension 64%
20032,253Suspension 60%
20021,085Suspension 59%
2001703Suspension 57%
2000216Suspension 65%
1999186Suspension 59%
1997121Suspension 52%
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Galaxy cars first registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score