Rover 100 (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 279 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1396cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1396cc29 years old279 tests48k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1396cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

74% of MOT tests on Rover 100s from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 279 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 48,094 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models173rd of 306(bottom half)

Rank among Rover models76th of 153(top half)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-1%(75% avg)

vs Rover average+0%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

48,094

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Rover 100 had 48,094 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 74%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Rover 100 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1998	71%	63	36,962 mi
1997	74%	279	48,094 mi
1996	81%	149	48,471 mi
1995	82%	78	38,946 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-1%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-3%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+15%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-4%

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About the 1997 Rover 100

The 1997 Rover 100 is a small family car. Our records list a 1396cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 279 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 48,094 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 100 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 Rover 100 Fuel Costs

The 1396cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Rover 100?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1997 Rover 100

At 29 years old, the Rover 100 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 Rover 100 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Rover 100(1997)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£378
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£373
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Rover 100

Is the 1997 Rover 100 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 1997 Rover 100s ended in a pass, from 279 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Rover 100 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Rover 100?

74% of 279 MOT tests on the 1997 Rover 100 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 173rd of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom half).

Which year Rover 100 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Rover 100 has the highest MOT pass rate at 81% and the 1997 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Rover 100?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Rover 100 is 48,094 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.