Rover 111 (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 216 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1120cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1120cc29 years old216 tests44k 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

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/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

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

66% of MOT tests on Rover 111s from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 216 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 43,809 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models278th of 306(bottom 10%)

Rank among Rover models141st of 153(bottom 9%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-9%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-8%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

43,809

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Rover 111 had 43,809 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 71%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 66%. 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 111 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1998	69%	54	55,572 mi
1997	66%	216	43,809 mi
1996	71%	154	44,008 mi
1995	69%	211	50,741 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+7%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+23%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+4%

Ford Fiesta

1999 · 1392cc Petrol

£2,383/year

67%

+1%

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About the 1997 Rover 111

The 1997 Rover 111 is a city car. Our records list a 1120cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 216 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 10% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 43,809 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 111 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 111 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 1997 Rover 111?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Rover 111 Reliability Trend

The Rover 111 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 1997 Rover 111

At 29 years old, the Rover 111 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.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 111 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 111(1997)	66%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£168
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£350
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23
Ford Fiesta(1999)	67%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383+£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 1997 Rover 111

Is the 1997 Rover 111 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 1997 Rover 111s ended in a pass, from 216 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Rover 111 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Rover 111?

66% of 216 MOT tests on the 1997 Rover 111 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 278th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 10%).

Which year Rover 111 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Rover 111 has the highest MOT pass rate at 71% and the 1997 the lowest at 66%. 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 111?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Rover 111 is 43,809 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.