Faults:

The car had an appetite for batteries - it needed a new one every 18 - 24 months and we could never find out why.

The clutch actuating lever failed.

The distributor rotor arm failed, causing misfiring.

After 6 years, the edges of the driver's seat were threadbare.

General Comments:

My father bought the car new in 1990 for £14,000. I bought it from him in 1993 for £6,000 and ran it until 1998/60,000 miles (fairly normal depreciation for a UK car!)

The 1.4 K series Rover engine was very good - responsive, free revving, and powerful for its size.

This car was one of the early models, and did not have the power steering which is essential on this model, and which became standard on later cars. Other than heavy steering at low speeds, the car was nice to drive and had good fuel economy.

After six years, the only sign of corrosion was the start of rust on the bottom edge of the front wings - the usual place on this vehicle.

I sold the car locally in 1998 for £2000. In 2003 I spotted it in supermarket car park and spoke to the owner. It had changed hands a couple of times, and the last sale price was £200. It now has 80,000 miles on the clock, the rust on the front wings is a little worse, but not too bad, and the clutch is giving a little trouble - not bad for 13 years old.

Faults:

Nothing went wrong with the car, but I replaced the radiator at 105000 after it started to steam a little; minor precaution.

General Comments:

The car is quick off the mark with its 16v engine.

However, the Si model lacks power steering so can be a little heavy.

It drives well and when looked after, will go on and on.

Unfortunately mine was just written off.

Faults:

Alternator, expensive to replace, but shopping around paid off. Easy to fit.

Leak in windscreen, difficult to find, yet easy to fix.

Otherwise general wear and tear.

General Comments:

From a reliability point of view the car is very good, with an exceptional engine and gearbox (Honda).

There have been a few problems, mainly to do with wear and tear, but this should be expected with a car that's done nearly 160K and shows no sign of stopping!

The car has very good performance for it's age and millage and still has no problem keeping up with the big boy's on it's 50Mile a day commute on A roads and the motorway.

Faults:

Timing belt very nearly broke, but was replaced JUST in time!

Large areas of front sub-frame rotten so failed the MOT.

Rear swing-arm bushes wore out in only 11 months.

Fairly bad body rust, especially front wings.

General Comments:

Great car to own, but Rovers in general have a bit of an image problem.

Once it's warmed-up it's the best car I've ever driven!

We've had the car in the family for the last 12 years and overall it's been the best value for money car we've owned.

Faults:

2 batteries blown.

Distributor worn out at 148000 miles.

Lots of seized up bolts.

Ignition module.

General Comments:

This is a great, very reliable, and fun car to own. Its performance in my opinion is in the best of its class and can even challenge the likes of some much more powerful vehicles. the car is extremely reliable when properly serviced, I've only called the RAC out once in the last four years that I can remember.

There are some minor problems with the car which I believe can easily be sorted. The suspension is far too high in standard form, so lowering with just replacement springs by 30mm makes a big difference. The only other thing I would change is the brakes and for not much more than the price of the standard ones you can get excellent grooved discs and sports pads.

A car I would recommend 100 times over.

But do not take it to a garage you don't know.