Rover 220 (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 35 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,177

£181/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Diesel

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,177/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

£1,397

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,177

Per month£181/mo

Per week£42/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Rover brand average of 74%.

89% of MOT tests on Rover 220s from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 35 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 78,294 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models37th of 325(top 12%)

Rank among Rover models5th of 153(top 4%)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

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

vs Rover average+15%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,294

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Rover 220 had 78,294 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-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?

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 1998 scores 89%. 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%

-14%

BMW 3 Series

2000 · 1951cc Diesel

£2,327/year

77%

-12%

Ford Fiesta

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,527/year

65%

-24%

Volvo 800 Series

1996 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,606/year

74%

-15%

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About the 1998 Rover 220

The 1998 Rover 220 is a family car. Our records list a 1994cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 35 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 12% of all 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 78,294 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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 £1,397 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 1998 Rover 220?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,177 (£181/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £375 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

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 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

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.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Rover 220(1998)	89%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,177
Land Rover Discovery(1999)	75%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£429
BMW 3 Series(2000)	77%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327+£150
Ford Fiesta(1998)	65%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527+£350
Volvo 800 Series(1996)	74%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£429

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 220

Is the 1998 Rover 220 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 1998 Rover 220s ended in a pass, from 35 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Rover 220 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,177 a year (£181 a month): £1,397 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

89% of 35 MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 220 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 37th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (top 12%).

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 1998 Rover 220?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 220 is 78,294 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.