CarCostCheck

ROVER 216 (1992)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 156 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1590cc34 years old156 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1590cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1590cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,957
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

At 34 years old, 74% of ROVER 216s from 1992 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 156 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,910 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1992 cars115th of 178(top 65%)
Rank among ROVER models79th of 153(top 52%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 1992 cars average-3%(77% avg)
vs ROVER average+0%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

89,910

Average miles

vs

251,600

Expected for age

The average 1992 ROVER 216 has 89,910 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-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?

The most reliable year is the 1991 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 71%. The 1992 sits between the two at 74%.

ROVER 216 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199981%15072,384 mi
199872%37079,065 mi
199771%28673,470 mi
199671%23191,553 mi
199573%37890,472 mi
199482%25180,144 mi
199377%22080,042 mi
199274%15689,910 mi
199190%7993,329 mi
199080%7195,086 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1992 ROVER 216

The 1992 ROVER 216 is a small family car with a 1590cc petrol engine. 156 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1992, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 89,910 miles at 34 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.

1992 ROVER 216 Fuel Costs

The 1590cc 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 1992 ROVER 216?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 1992 ROVER 216

At 34 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 90%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1992 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 90k 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 1992 ROVER 216 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ROVER 216(1992)74%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1957
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£90
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)84%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£90
ROVER MINI(1993)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£235
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£280

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.

Related Rover Models

Explore other Rover cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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