Rover 218 (1994)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 30 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,527

£211/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1905cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,527/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Diesel1905cc32 years old30 tests107k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1905cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,527

Per month£211/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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 218s from 1994 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 30 years old. That's based on 30 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 106,765 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 models181st of 204(bottom 12%)

Rank among Rover models139th of 153(bottom 10%)

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

vs 1994 models average-9%(76% avg)

vs Rover average-7%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,765

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1994 Rover 218 had 106,765 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 218 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1998	71%	195	101,557 mi
1997	68%	73	88,754 mi
1995	65%	52	101,969 mi
1994	67%	30	106,765 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Peugeot 205

1992 · 1769cc Diesel

£2,327/year

74%

+7%

Mercedes C

1995 · 2155cc Diesel

£2,456/year

83%

+16%

Ford Fiesta

1994 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,327/year

77%

+10%

Peugeot 306

1996 · 1905cc Diesel

£2,327/year

74%

+7%

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About the 1994 Rover 218

The 1994 Rover 218 is a family car. Our records list a 1905cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 30 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 12% of 1994 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 106,765 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 218 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 218 Fuel Costs

The 1905cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1994 Rover 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,527 (£211/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £375 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.

Buying a Used 1994 Rover 218

At 32 years old, the Rover 218 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 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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

Watch out

With an average of 107k 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.

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 1994 Rover 218 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 218(1994)	67%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527
Peugeot 205(1992)	74%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200
Mercedes C(1995)	83%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,456-£71
Ford Fiesta(1994)	77%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200
Peugeot 306(1996)	74%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200

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 1994 Rover 218

Is the 1994 Rover 218 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 1994 Rover 218s ended in a pass, from 30 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 1994 Rover 218 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,527 a year (£211 a month): £1,397 fuel, £375 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 1994 Rover 218?

67% of 30 MOT tests on the 1994 Rover 218 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 181st of 204 models first registered in 1994 (bottom 12%).

What is the average mileage for a 1994 Rover 218?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1994 Rover 218 is 106,765 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.