How much does a 1998 ROVER MINI cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

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

The 1998 ROVER MINI has a 79% MOT pass rate based on 2,664 tests in 2026. This ranks 105 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year ROVER MINI is most reliable?

The 1990 ROVER MINI has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 74%.

ROVER MINI (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 ROVER MINI reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of ROVER MINIs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 2,664 tests. That's 3 points below the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1998 ROVER MINI is 52,602 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 2,664 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1275cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £1887/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1275cc28 years old2,664 tests53k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1275cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1275cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,887

Per month£157/mo

Per week£36/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

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 28 years old, 79% of ROVER MINIs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,664 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 52,602 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars105th of 340(top 31%)

Rank among ROVER models31th of 153(top 20%)

vs national average-3%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+4%(75% avg)

vs ROVER average+5%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

52,602

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 ROVER MINI has 52,602 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 1990 model with a 80% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 74%. The 1998 sits between the two at 79%.

ROVER MINI by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2001	80%	621	41,419 mi
2000	79%	1,873	46,449 mi
1999	80%	2,240	50,086 mi
1998	79%	2,664	52,602 mi
1997	78%	1,938	52,446 mi
1996	74%	2,384	51,333 mi
1995	76%	2,250	52,665 mi
1994	75%	2,681	51,833 mi
1993	74%	2,855	51,827 mi
1992	76%	2,492	55,067 mi
1991	80%	2,744	50,719 mi
1990	80%	2,886	51,406 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

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-6%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+10%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

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TOYOTA YARIS

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About the 1998 ROVER MINI

The 1998 ROVER MINI is a small family car with a 1275cc petrol engine. 2,664 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 52,602 miles at 28 years old, ROVER MINI 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 MINI Fuel Costs

The 1275cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 ROVER MINI?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ROVER MINI Reliability Trend

The ROVER MINI has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 ROVER MINI

At 28 years old, the ROVER MINI 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 1990 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 ROVER MINI's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 1998 ROVER MINI stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ROVER MINI(1998)	79%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£60
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£497
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165
TOYOTA YARIS(2000)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165

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.