Is the 1998 ROVER 218 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of ROVER 218s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 195 tests. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1998 ROVER 218 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 ROVER 218?

The 1998 ROVER 218 has a 71% MOT pass rate based on 195 tests in 2026. This ranks 251 out of 340 cars from 1998.

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 (1998)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 ROVER 218?

The average mileage for a 1998 ROVER 218 is 101,557 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 195 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 11 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific ROVER 218

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1796cc28 years old195 tests102k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this ROVER 218

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

At 28 years old, 71% of ROVER 218s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 195 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 101,557 miles.

Got a ROVER 218 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars251th of 340(top 74%)

Rank among ROVER models109th of 153(top 71%)

vs national average-11%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-4%(75% avg)

vs ROVER average-3%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,557

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 ROVER 218 has 101,557 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific ROVER 218?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

same

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-1%

TOYOTA YARIS

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-1%

Check a Specific Rover 218

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1998 ROVER 218

The 1998 ROVER 218 is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 195 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 101,557 miles at 28 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.

1998 ROVER 218 Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 ROVER 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 1998 ROVER 218

At 28 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 ROVER 218's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

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 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(1998)	71%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£475
TOYOTA YARIS(2000)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£475

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.