Rover 218 (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 195 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,561

£213/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,561/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1796cc28 years old195 tests102k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,561

Per month£213/mo

Per week£49/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

71% of MOT tests on Rover 218s from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 195 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 101,557 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models240th of 325(bottom half)

Rank among Rover models109th of 153(bottom half)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

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

vs Rover average-3%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,557

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Rover 218 had 101,557 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+2%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

same

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-1%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-1%

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About the 1998 Rover 218

The 1998 Rover 218 is a family car. Our records list a 1796cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 195 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 101,557 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 218 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £1,631 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 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,561 (£213/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 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.

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

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.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Rover 218(1998)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£233
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£378
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£378

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 218

Is the 1998 Rover 218 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1998 Rover 218s ended in a pass, from 195 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Rover 218 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,561 a year (£213 a month): £1,631 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 218?

71% of 195 MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 218 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 240th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Rover 218?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 218 is 101,557 miles, which is below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.