How much does a 1998 ROVER 220 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,707 (£142/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 ROVER 220?

The 1998 ROVER 220 has a 89% MOT pass rate based on 35 tests in 2026. This ranks 39 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year ROVER 220 is most reliable?

The 1993 ROVER 220 has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 77%.

ROVER 220 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 ROVER 220 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of ROVER 220s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 35 tests. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 ROVER 220?

The average mileage for a 1998 ROVER 220 is 78,294 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 35 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Diesel

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1707/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Diesel1994cc28 years old35 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1994cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1994cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,707

Per month£142/mo

Per week£33/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 28 years old, 89% of ROVER 220s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 35 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,294 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars39th of 340(top 11%)

Rank among ROVER models5th of 153(top 3%)

vs national average+7%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+14%(75% avg)

vs ROVER average+15%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,294

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 ROVER 220 has 78,294 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.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1993 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 77%. The 1998 sits between the two at 89%.

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

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-19%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

-14%

BMW 3 SERIES

2000 · 1951cc Diesel

£1,727/year

77%

-12%

FIAT DUCATO

1999 · 1905cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

-17%

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About the 1998 ROVER 220

The 1998 ROVER 220 is a family car with a 1994cc diesel engine. 35 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 78,294 miles at 28 years old, ROVER 220 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 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 £1,037 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 1998 ROVER 220?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 (£142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ROVER 220 Reliability Trend

The ROVER 220 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 ROVER 220

At 28 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 35 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 ROVER 220'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.

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 220 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 220(1998)	89%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1707
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£343
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£343
BMW 3 SERIES(2000)	77%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£20
FIAT DUCATO(1999)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£20

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.