Rover 211 (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 121 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1120cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1120cc27 years old121 tests64k 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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

69% of MOT tests on Rover 211s from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 121 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 64,087 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models285th of 361(bottom 22%)

Rank among Rover models124th of 153(bottom 20%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-6%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-5%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

64,087

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Rover 211 had 64,087 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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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Rover 211 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	69%	121	64,087 mi
1998	78%	65	65,337 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Toyota Yaris

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+2%

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

-1%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+4%

Honda Civic

2001 · 1590cc Petrol

£2,228/year

70%

+1%

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About the 1999 Rover 211

The 1999 Rover 211 is a city car. Our records list a 1120cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 121 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 22% of 1999 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 64,087 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 211 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.

1999 Rover 211 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 1999 Rover 211?

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 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1999 Rover 211

At 27 years old, the Rover 211 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 69% 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 1999 Rover 211 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 211(1999)	69%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160
Toyota Yaris(2001)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£7
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£268
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£168
Honda Civic(2001)	70%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£68

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 1999 Rover 211

Is the 1999 Rover 211 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 1999 Rover 211s ended in a pass, from 121 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Rover 211 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 1999 Rover 211?

69% of 121 MOT tests on the 1999 Rover 211 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 285th of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom 22%).

What is the average mileage for a 1999 Rover 211?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Rover 211 is 64,087 miles, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.