Rover 216 (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 370 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,328

£194/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1589cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,328/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol1589cc28 years old370 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1589cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,328

Per month£194/mo

Per week£45/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

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

72% of MOT tests on Rover 216s from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 370 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,065 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models203rd of 325(bottom half)

Rank among Rover models97th of 153(bottom half)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-3%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-2%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,065

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Rover 216 had 79,065 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-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 82%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 71%. The 1998 scores 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+1%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-1%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+17%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-2%

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About the 1998 Rover 216

The 1998 Rover 216 is a small family car. Our records list a 1589cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 370 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 79,065 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1998 Rover 216 Fuel Costs

The 1589cc 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 1998 Rover 216?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,328 (£194/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Rover 216 Reliability Trend

The Rover 216 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 Rover 216

At 28 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 1994 model has the highest pass rate at 82%.

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.

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 1998 Rover 216 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 216(1998)	72%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328same
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£233
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£518
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£145

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 1998 Rover 216

Is the 1998 Rover 216 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 1998 Rover 216s ended in a pass, from 370 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Rover 216 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,328 a year (£194 a month): £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Rover 216?

72% of 370 MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 216 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 203rd of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom half).

Which year Rover 216 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1994 Rover 216 has the highest MOT pass rate at 82% and the 1996 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Rover 216?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 216 is 79,065 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.