Rover 220 (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 34 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,327

£194/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,327/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel1994cc29 years old34 tests112k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1994cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,327

Per month£194/mo

Per week£45/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

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 220s from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 34 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 111,588 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models231st of 306(bottom 25%)

Rank among Rover models112th of 153(bottom half)

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

vs 1997 models average-4%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-3%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

111,588

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Rover 220 had 111,588 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1993 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 78%. The 1997 scores 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Rover 220 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	77%	56	95,779 mi
1998	89%	35	78,294 mi
1997	71%	34	111,588 mi
1996	80%	35	90,458 mi
1995	82%	217	95,929 mi
1994	78%	134	99,052 mi
1993	85%	107	111,709 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Land Rover Discovery

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,606/year

75%

+4%

Ford Fiesta

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,527/year

65%

-6%

Volvo 800 Series

1996 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,606/year

74%

+3%

Volvo V70

1998 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,606/year

71%

same

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About the 1997 Rover 220

The 1997 Rover 220 is a family car. Our records list a 1994cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 34 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 25% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 111,588 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 220 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 Rover 220 Fuel Costs

The 1994cc 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 1997 Rover 220?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,327 (£194/month), broken down as £1,397 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.

Rover 220 Reliability Trend

Older Rover 220s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 Rover 220

At 29 years old, the Rover 220 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 1993 model has the highest pass rate at 85%. Note: with only 34 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 112k 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 1997 Rover 220 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 220(1997)	71%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327
Land Rover Discovery(1999)	75%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£279
Ford Fiesta(1998)	65%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527+£200
Volvo 800 Series(1996)	74%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£279
Volvo V70(1998)	71%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£279

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 1997 Rover 220

Is the 1997 Rover 220 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1997 Rover 220s ended in a pass, from 34 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 1997 Rover 220 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,327 a year (£194 a month): £1,397 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 1997 Rover 220?

71% of 34 MOT tests on the 1997 Rover 220 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 231st of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 25%).

Which year Rover 220 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1993 Rover 220 has the highest MOT pass rate at 85% and the 1994 the lowest at 78%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Rover 220?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Rover 220 is 111,588 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.