How much does a 1995 ROVER 218 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,825 (£152/month), including £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1995 ROVER 218?

The 1995 ROVER 218 has a 65% MOT pass rate based on 52 tests in 2026. This ranks 206 out of 228 cars from 1995.

Which year ROVER 218 is most reliable?

The 1998 ROVER 218 has the highest MOT pass rate at 71%. The least reliable year is 1995 at 65%.

ROVER 218 (1995)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1995 ROVER 218?

The average mileage for a 1995 ROVER 218 is 101,969 miles, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-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 52 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Diesel1590cc31 years old52 tests102k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1590cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Based on 1590cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,825

Per month£152/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

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 31 years old, 65% of ROVER 218s from 1995 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 52 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 101,969 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1995 cars206th of 228(top 90%)

Rank among ROVER models147th of 153(top 96%)

vs national average-17%(82% avg)

vs 1995 cars average-11%(76% avg)

vs ROVER average-9%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,969

Average miles

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1995 ROVER 218 has 101,969 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-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 1998 model with a 71% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 65%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

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

FIAT DUCATO

1996 · 1929cc Diesel

£1,927/year

69%

+4%

FORD FIESTA

1997 · 1753cc Diesel

£1,927/year

66%

+1%

PEUGEOT 306

1996 · 1905cc Diesel

£1,727/year

74%

+9%

FORD MONDEO

1996 · 1753cc Diesel

£1,727/year

73%

+8%

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About the 1995 ROVER 218

The 1995 ROVER 218 is a small family car with a 1590cc diesel engine. 52 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 90% of 1995 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 101,969 miles at 31 years old, 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.

1995 ROVER 218 Fuel Costs

The 1590cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 1995 ROVER 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 (£152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

ROVER 218 Reliability Trend

Newer ROVER 218s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1995 ROVER 218

At 31 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 52 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1995 ROVER 218's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 102k 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 65% 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 1995 ROVER 218 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 218(1995)	65%	£905	£165	Grp 12-25	£1825
FIAT DUCATO(1996)	69%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1927+£102
FORD FIESTA(1997)	66%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1927+£102
PEUGEOT 306(1996)	74%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£98
FORD MONDEO(1996)	73%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£98

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.