How much does a 1998 ROVER 420 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,057 (£171/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 ROVER 420?

The 1998 ROVER 420 has a 61% MOT pass rate based on 61 tests in 2026. This ranks 330 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year ROVER 420 is most reliable?

The 1997 ROVER 420 has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 61%.

ROVER 420 (1998)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 ROVER 420?

The average mileage for a 1998 ROVER 420 is 81,962 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 61 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

61%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

61% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 21 points below average.

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Diesel1994cc28 years old61 tests82k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1994cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1994cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,057

Per month£171/mo

Per week£40/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

61% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 21 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 28 years old, 61% of ROVER 420s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 61 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 81,962 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars330th of 340(top 97%)

Rank among ROVER models149th of 153(top 97%)

vs national average-21%(82% avg)

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

vs ROVER average-13%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

81,962

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 ROVER 420 has 81,962 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 1997 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 61%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

ROVER 420 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	66%	91	81,796 mi
1998	61%	61	81,962 mi
1997	78%	74	75,701 mi
1996	75%	68	100,737 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

+9%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

+14%

BMW 3 SERIES

2000 · 1951cc Diesel

£1,727/year

77%

+16%

FIAT DUCATO

1999 · 1905cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

+11%

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About the 1998 ROVER 420

The 1998 ROVER 420 is a family car with a 1994cc diesel engine. 61 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 97% of 1998 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 81,962 miles at 28 years old, ROVER 420 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 420 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 420?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 (£171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 61% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

ROVER 420 Reliability Trend

Older ROVER 420s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 13 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1998 ROVER 420

At 28 years old, the ROVER 420 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. Note: with only 61 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 ROVER 420'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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 82k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 61% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 420(1998)	61%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£2057
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£7
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£7
BMW 3 SERIES(2000)	77%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£330
FIAT DUCATO(1999)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£330

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.