Faults:

Tailgate collapsed due to offside hinge failure.

Microswitch in drivers door fault causing problems dis-arming alarm.

High oil consumption for no apparent reason.

General Comments:

For a 1.4 8v engine this car is surprisingly fast, but at the same time very economical.

You should consider changing the 155 tyres for 175's for a little bit extra grip.

Overall a fine handling, quick and good looking car.

Faults:

Head gasket blew at around 83,000 miles.

Constant exhaust corrosion, requiring pipe and back-box replacement every 6 months.

Alternator needed replacing at 110,000 miles.

Constant overheating past 138,000 miles, problem remained un-diagnosed.

General Comments:

My dad actually owned this car from new, and I began driving it in 1999 after passing my test, so all the history was already known to me.

The Majority of the problems encountered were only cheap to fix, aside from firstly the head gasket, which is a common fault in these cars above 70,000 miles and of course the overheating which ended in the final demise of our old faithful family car!

For a 1.4 8 valve engine, this was one quick car! Compare it to even an escort 1.4 16v or a BMW 316i and the Rover leaves them both for dust. It came without luxuries such as power steering and electric windows, but the steering did give plenty of feedback. Handling was generally OK, but the front wheels with the skinny tires were a little vulnerable to locking and torque steer.

Faults:

Alternator failure at 40,000km.

General Comments:

An extremely underrated hot hatch with performance that can embarrass more expensive and exotic cars. Fun to drive quickly and very sedate around town when required.

Spacious, well laid out and comfortable cabin with masses of boot space, especially with the rear seats folded down.

Reliability and relative cheapness to run makes it one of the best cars I have owned to date.

Faults:

Central locking problems - actuator in drivers door was broken when I bought the car and the repairer managed to damage the window tracking and break the exhaust! Still, now fixed, however the actuator in the rear offside door has now failed.

The cover over the catalytic converter came loose at 76000miles.

New exhaust at 77000miles.

I'm concerned at the amount of smoke from the exhaust and the clutch is beginning to wear.

General Comments:

The car is very fast but could handle better.

It is a very understated car, looking like a 214, but is faster than a Golf GTi.

Faults:

Wipers wouldn't "park" - just dirt in the wiper motor.

Oil light came on - pickup strainer in the sump was completely blocked.

General Comments:

Some vibration at idle. This car is a bargain. Fast for a 1.4 and very reliable. I would definitely buy another one.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

It has good performance for the size of it.

My one has no rust and has never broke down in the time I have had it.

Faults:

Radiator leaked at 90000 miles.

Clutch failed at 95000 miles.

Gearbox required an overhaul at 98000 miles.

General Comments:

Gearbox fragility is a problem.

Performance is excellent. The K Series engine is extremely responsive and can very often overhaul bigger engined cars in a traffic light grand prix. If you want economy, a gentle right foot will give you this as well.

Handling is OK, but be careful of the back skipping out!

Comfort is superb, and the cabin looks suitably upper class. Electrics all round.

An excellent car!

Faults:

Minor things only.

Wipers don't return to base on intermittent or flick-wipe.

Rattles like it's falling apart at 2000rpm. Fine above and below 2000rpm.

Back seats loose and sun visor loose, have been padded out with sticky tape to hold them still. Driver's seat rocks under sudden braking.

Windows keep rolling themselves down and letting wind noise in.

Consumption is very variable, from 290 to 400 miles on a tankful.

Brakes squeak like mad at times.

Nothing major - yet.

General Comments:

Does everything adequately. Comfortable enough on long journeys, but also OK for buzzing round town.

Reviews and stories of blown head gaskets and melted engines are slightly worrying, especially as mine is getting to 'that age'.