Is the 1997 ROVER 620 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of ROVER 620s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 251 tests. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1997 ROVER 620 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 620?

The 1997 ROVER 620 has a 70% MOT pass rate based on 251 tests in 2026. This ranks 246 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year ROVER 620 is most reliable?

The 1998 ROVER 620 has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 65%.

ROVER 620 (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 ROVER 620?

The average mileage for a 1997 ROVER 620 is 109,822 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 251 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

1997cc Petrol

Check Carefully

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

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Petrol1997cc29 years old251 tests110k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£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 620s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 251 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 109,822 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars246th of 320(top 77%)

Rank among ROVER models115th of 153(top 75%)

vs national average-12%(82% avg)

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

vs ROVER average-4%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

109,822

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 ROVER 620 has 109,822 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 78% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1997 sits between the two at 70%.

ROVER 620 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	73%	334	94,869 mi
1998	78%	256	109,354 mi
1997	70%	251	109,822 mi
1996	65%	191	106,943 mi
1995	76%	108	96,505 mi
1994	72%	67	108,812 mi
1993	74%	50	108,165 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-3%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+1%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+8%

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About the 1997 ROVER 620

The 1997 ROVER 620 is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 251 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 77% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 109,822 miles at 29 years old, ROVER 620 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 ROVER 620 Fuel Costs

The 1997cc 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 620?

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 620 Reliability Trend

The ROVER 620 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 ROVER 620

At 29 years old, the ROVER 620 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 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 78%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 ROVER 620'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 110k 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 620 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER 620(1997)	70%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£400
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(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397+£200

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.