CarCostCheck

ROVER 216 (1994)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 251 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,807

£151/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £1807/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1590cc32 years old251 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1590cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1590cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,807
Per month£151/mo
Per week£35/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

82% 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 32 years old, 82% of ROVER 216s from 1994 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 251 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 80,144 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 cars58th of 212(top 27%)
Rank among ROVER models11th of 153(top 7%)
vs national average+0%(82% avg)
vs 1994 cars average+6%(76% avg)
vs ROVER average+8%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,144

Average miles

vs

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1994 ROVER 216 has 80,144 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-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 1994 sits between the two at 82%.

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 1994 ROVER 216

The 1994 ROVER 216 is a small family car with a 1590cc petrol engine. 251 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 80,144 miles at 32 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.

1994 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 1994 ROVER 216?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,807 151/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% 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 1994 ROVER 216

At 32 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 1994 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 80k 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 1994 ROVER 216 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ROVER 216(1994)82%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1807
MAZDA MX-5(1996)76%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017+£210
BMW 3 SERIES(1996)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£60
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1996)74%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017+£210
ROVER MINI(1993)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£85

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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