1975 Rover - Austin Allegro 1300 Super 1.3 petrol

Summary:

So much better than it was been condemned

Faults:

Heater failed after 63,000 miles.

Brake cable snapped after 70,000 miles.

Radio packed up after 76,000 miles.

Underside of car was becoming rusty just before I sold it.

General Comments:

Generally reliable considering its age and high mileage.

Apart from rust later on, the Allegro was a very well built car.

The windscreen never popped out when it was jacked up!

It could be towed out of the Mersey Tunnel without snapping in half! (That was when the brake cable snapped)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th February, 2006

1979 Rover - Austin Allegro SUPER 1.5

Summary:

Great car

Faults:

The radiator started to leak as soon as I picked the car up.

The clutch decided that it would wear out.

The brake master cylinder gave up at around 47,000 miles.

Lots of rust.

General Comments:

The Allegro was a great little car despite the problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st July, 2005

21st Jul 2005, 09:43

Based on what I read, I don't really understand why it's a great little car. Please explain.

29th Jul 2005, 08:54

My dad owned an Allegro 1275 "Super" estate for a short time when we were kids. The car had a genuine 30k on the clock, but burned more oil than petrol, leaked what it didn't burn, and was slower off the mark than a mortally wounded snail.

That said, it never broke down!

5th Sep 2005, 08:35

The car had problems, but as seen as I had it for free off a friend I can hardly complain.

The mot was not on the car for long hence the small miles I did in it.

For the time in which I used the car it never broke down and always got me to work on time. The parts I replaced came from a spare Allegro so I spent very little money.

I do not believe that the Allegro is a bad car, and I stick by that.

1979 Rover - Austin Allegro Vanden Plas 1.5

Summary:

Lovely car, but needs attention to keep it going

Faults:

The CV joints start to knock at 2,500 and need replacing at 5,000.

The gearbox is a skill to use and the steering is only decent for a weight lifter!

Rust is reasonable if controlled, but once out of hand the car falls apart around you.

The only real problem is the suspension. The common faults are cured with skill and TLC. "Hydra-gas" or "Hydro-elastic" suspension is standard and finding somewhere to pump it up is a nightmare and it always goes down!

Keep your ball joints greased and you'll save a lot of money!

General Comments:

The car drives well, but does tend to need a skillful hand for a smooth ride. Double-d-clutching up and down the box is essential in some!

Very cheap to run. More is spent on oil than petrol.

If looked after they can be very nice cars. If not, they're prone to fail at least once a week.

Stay away from the automatics, they're useless!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th September, 2004

10th Dec 2005, 08:16

Your right about the automatic transmission. My parents had one of these Vanden Plas versions of the Allegro in New Zealand in the 1980's (after owning a manual Allegro) and the auto needed to be overhauled twice. They traded it on a 1981 Honda Accord which proved to be somewhat more reliable, til rust killed it too. I don't know if the Vanden Plas version of the Allegro was officially sold in NZ or not as ours was the only one I ever saw. Bit hard not to notice with all the chrome and driving lights.

1979 Rover - Austin Allegro HL Estate 1.5 petrol

Summary:

A reliable, comfortable car, unfairly derided

Faults:

The clutch wore out, but this was just fair wear and tear.

The clutch slave cylinder failed suddenly leaving no clutch operation at traffic lights in busy traffic.

Weak engine mountings caused clutch judder.

One of the displacers had a leak in the connection between the actual displacer and the fluid hose, causing the car to sag on one side.

Constant velocity joint on the near side wore out, causing knocking when turning right.

General Comments:

The car seems to use a lot of oil, although it doesn't seem to burn it and it doesn't leak when it's stationary; I've no idea where it goes.

Apart from the faults listed, the car is totally reliable and moderately comfortable. It's my 5th Allegro and I wouldn't hesitate buying another one.

Build quality could be better, and the flimsy plastic creaks inside the cab.

I have had no major problems with corrosion, although it has needed minor welding over the years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th March, 2004