Rover 100 (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 63 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,960

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1120cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1,960/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1120cc28 years old63 tests37k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1120cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,960

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

71% of MOT tests on Rover 100s from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 63 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 36,962 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models245th of 325(bottom 25%)

Rank among Rover models111th of 153(bottom half)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-4%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-3%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

36,962

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Rover 100 had 36,962 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-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%. The 1998 scores 71%. 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%

+2%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+18%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-1%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-1%

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About the 1998 Rover 100

The 1998 Rover 100 is a city car. Our records list a 1120cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 63 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 25% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 36,962 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.

1998 Rover 100 Fuel Costs

The modest 1120cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 1998 Rover 100?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,960 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1998 Rover 100

At 28 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 81%. Note: with only 63 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 1998 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(1998)	71%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,960
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£368
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£150
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£223
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£223

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 1998 Rover 100

Is the 1998 Rover 100 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1998 Rover 100s ended in a pass, from 63 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Rover 100 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,960 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 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 1998 Rover 100?

71% of 63 MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 100 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 245th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 25%).

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 1998 Rover 100?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 100 is 36,962 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.