Is the 1997 ROVER 618 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of ROVER 618s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 135 tests. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1997 ROVER 618 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 ROVER 618?

The 1997 ROVER 618 has a 70% MOT pass rate based on 135 tests in 2026. This ranks 248 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year ROVER 618 is most reliable?

The 1998 ROVER 618 has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 70%.

ROVER 618 (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 ROVER 618?

The average mileage for a 1997 ROVER 618 is 111,827 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 135 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1850cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1850cc29 years old135 tests112k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1850cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1850cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 29 years old, 70% of ROVER 618s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 135 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 111,827 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars248th of 320(top 77%)

Rank among ROVER models116th of 153(top 76%)

vs national average-12%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-5%(75% avg)

vs ROVER average-4%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

111,827

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 ROVER 618 has 111,827 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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?

The most reliable year is the 1998 model with a 82% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 70%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

ROVER 618 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	78%	300	88,092 mi
1998	82%	79	110,573 mi
1997	70%	135	111,827 mi
1996	56%	34	102,492 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+1%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+9%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

+5%

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About the 1997 ROVER 618

The 1997 ROVER 618 is a family car with a 1850cc petrol engine. 135 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 77% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 111,827 miles at 29 years old, ROVER 618 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 ROVER 618 Fuel Costs

The 1850cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 ROVER 618?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ROVER 618 Reliability Trend

Newer ROVER 618s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 ROVER 618

At 29 years old, the ROVER 618 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

Based on the 1997 ROVER 618's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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 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 618 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 618(1997)	70%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180

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.