Rover 820 (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 79 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,561

£213/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,561/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1994cc30 years old79 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1994cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,561

Per month£213/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p 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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

70% of MOT tests on Rover 820s from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 79 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 94,315 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models185th of 243(bottom 25%)

Rank among Rover models119th of 153(bottom 23%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-5%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-4%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,315

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Rover 820 had 94,315 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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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Rover 820 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	72%	180	91,530 mi
1998	73%	97	89,711 mi
1997	72%	103	91,768 mi
1996	70%	79	94,315 mi
1994	83%	40	98,797 mi
1992	67%	30	92,011 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,328/year

75%

+5%

BMW 3 Series

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,561/year

79%

+9%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,561/year

75%

+5%

Volkswagen Golf

1998 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+1%

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About the 1996 Rover 820

The 1996 Rover 820 is a family car. Our records list a 1994cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 79 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 25% of 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 94,315 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 820 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.

1996 Rover 820 Fuel Costs

The 1994cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 Rover 820?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,561 (£213/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 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.

Buying a Used 1996 Rover 820

At 30 years old, the Rover 820 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 79 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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 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

Medium risk

With an average of 94k 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 1996 Rover 820 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 820(1996)	70%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561
Mazda MX-5(1998)	75%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£233
BMW 3 Series(1998)	79%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same
Volkswagen Golf(1998)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same

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 1996 Rover 820

Is the 1996 Rover 820 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 1996 Rover 820s ended in a pass, from 79 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Rover 820 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,561 a year (£213 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Rover 820?

70% of 79 MOT tests on the 1996 Rover 820 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 185th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom 25%).

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Rover 820?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Rover 820 is 94,315 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.