How much does a 1990 ROVER 214 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 ROVER 214?

The 1990 ROVER 214 has a 84% MOT pass rate based on 37 tests in 2026. This ranks 65 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year ROVER 214 is most reliable?

The 1994 ROVER 214 has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 67%.

ROVER 214 (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 ROVER 214 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 84% of ROVER 214s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 37 tests. That's 2 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 ROVER 214?

The average mileage for a 1990 ROVER 214 is 105,072 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1396cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific ROVER 214

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1396cc36 years old37 tests105k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1396cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1396cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this ROVER 214

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

84% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 36 years old, 84% of ROVER 214s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 105,072 miles.

Got a ROVER 214 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars65th of 190(top 34%)

Rank among ROVER models9th of 153(top 6%)

vs national average+2%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+5%(79% avg)

vs ROVER average+10%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

105,072

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 ROVER 214 has 105,072 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific ROVER 214?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1994 model with a 77% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1990 sits between the two at 84%.

ROVER 214 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	72%	263	60,699 mi
1998	72%	332	69,951 mi
1997	75%	173	54,915 mi
1996	69%	131	77,263 mi
1995	72%	341	80,241 mi
1994	77%	191	81,071 mi
1993	67%	183	79,416 mi
1992	77%	151	75,290 mi
1991	74%	78	72,799 mi
1990	84%	37	105,072 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-4%

ROVER MINI

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

80%

-4%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

+1%

PEUGEOT 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-4%

Check a Specific Rover 214

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1990 ROVER 214

The 1990 ROVER 214 is a small family car with a 1396cc petrol engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 105,072 miles at 36 years old, ROVER 214 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.

1990 ROVER 214 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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 ROVER 214?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ROVER 214 Reliability Trend

The ROVER 214 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 ROVER 214

At 36 years old, the ROVER 214 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 1994 model has the highest pass rate at 77%. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 ROVER 214's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 105k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 1990 ROVER 214 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 214(1990)	84%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1737
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£130
ROVER MINI(1990)	80%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£347
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£60
PEUGEOT 205(1990)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.