CarCostCheck

ROVER MAESTRO (1990)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 147 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1998cc36 years old147 tests75k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

82% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 36 years old, 82% of ROVER MAESTROs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 147 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 74,730 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars81th of 190(top 43%)
Rank among ROVER models14th of 153(top 9%)
vs national average+0%(82% avg)
vs 1990 cars average+3%(79% avg)
vs ROVER average+8%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,730

Average miles

vs

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 ROVER MAESTRO has 74,730 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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 1992 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 77%. The 1990 sits between the two at 82%.

ROVER MAESTRO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199477%88102,278 mi
199381%7492,547 mi
199288%6463,854 mi
199177%39100,969 mi
199082%14774,730 mi

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About the 1990 ROVER MAESTRO

The 1990 ROVER MAESTRO is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 147 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 74,730 miles at 36 years old, ROVER MAESTRO 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.

1990 ROVER MAESTRO Fuel Costs

The 1998cc 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 1990 ROVER MAESTRO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ROVER MAESTRO Reliability Trend

Older ROVER MAESTROs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1990 ROVER MAESTRO

At 36 years old, the ROVER MAESTRO 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 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 ROVER MAESTRO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 36 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.

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 1990 ROVER MAESTRO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ROVER MAESTRO(1990)82%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)84%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£180
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£370
MAZDA MX-5(1991)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220

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.

Related Rover Models

Explore other Rover cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Rover Maestro.

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