Rover 214 (1993)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 183 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,383

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1396cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,383/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1396cc33 years old183 tests79k 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

£700

Total per year£2,383

Per month£199/mo

Per week£46/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

67% of MOT tests on Rover 214s from 1993 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 31 years old. That's based on 183 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,416 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 models156th of 188(bottom 18%)

Rank among Rover models135th of 153(bottom 13%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 1993 models average-9%(76% avg)

vs Rover average-7%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,416

Average miles

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1993 Rover 214 had 79,416 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-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 1994 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 67%. 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 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

£2,411/year

80%

+13%

Rover Mini

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

+7%

Mazda MX-5

1995 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

+7%

BMW 3 Series

1991 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,411/year

82%

+15%

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About the 1993 Rover 214

The 1993 Rover 214 is a small family car. Our records list a 1396cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 183 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 18% of 1993 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 79,416 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1993 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 £1,398 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 1993 Rover 214?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,383 (£199/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Rover 214 Reliability Trend

The Rover 214 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 1993 Rover 214

At 33 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.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 1993 Rover 214 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 214(1993)	67%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£28
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£200
Mazda MX-5(1995)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£178
BMW 3 Series(1991)	82%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£28

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 1993 Rover 214

Is the 1993 Rover 214 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 1993 Rover 214s ended in a pass, from 183 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1993 Rover 214 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,383 a year (£199 a month): £1,398 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 1993 Rover 214?

67% of 183 MOT tests on the 1993 Rover 214 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 156th of 188 models first registered in 1993 (bottom 18%).

Which year Rover 214 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1994 Rover 214 has the highest MOT pass rate at 77% and the 1993 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1993 Rover 214?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1993 Rover 214 is 79,416 miles, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.