Is the 1991 ROVER 216 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of ROVER 216s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 79 tests. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1991 ROVER 216 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 ROVER 216?

The 1991 ROVER 216 has a 90% MOT pass rate based on 79 tests in 2026. This ranks 30 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year ROVER 216 is most reliable?

The 1991 ROVER 216 has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 71%.

ROVER 216 (1991)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 ROVER 216?

The average mileage for a 1991 ROVER 216 is 93,329 miles, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 79 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,657

£138/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1657/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol1598cc35 years old79 tests93k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,657

Per month£138/mo

Per week£32/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 35 years old, 90% of ROVER 216s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 79 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,329 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars30th of 179(top 17%)

Rank among ROVER models2nd of 153(top 1%)

vs national average+8%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+12%(78% avg)

vs ROVER average+16%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,329

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 ROVER 216 has 93,329 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 216 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	81%	150	72,384 mi
1998	72%	370	79,065 mi
1997	71%	286	73,470 mi
1996	71%	231	91,553 mi
1995	73%	378	90,472 mi
1994	82%	251	80,144 mi
1993	77%	220	80,042 mi
1992	74%	156	89,910 mi
1991	90%	79	93,329 mi
1990	80%	71	95,086 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-10%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-6%

ROVER MINI

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,722/year

74%

-16%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-5%

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About the 1991 ROVER 216

The 1991 ROVER 216 is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 79 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 17% of all 1991 cars for reliability.

With an average of 93,329 miles at 35 years old, ROVER 216 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.

1991 ROVER 216 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc 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 1991 ROVER 216?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

ROVER 216 Reliability Trend

Older ROVER 216s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1991 ROVER 216

At 35 years old, the ROVER 216 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. Note: with only 79 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 ROVER 216'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

Medium risk

With an average of 93k 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 1991 ROVER 216 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 216(1991)	90%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1657
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£210
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£210
ROVER MINI(1993)	74%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722+£65
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677+£20

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.