Rover 200 (1995 – 1999) Review
Rover 200 (1995 – 1999) At A Glance
Smart styling. The Vi is quick and economical, the 1.6 CVT responsive. Feels compact in town yet comfortable on the motorway.
Patchy build quality. Head gaskets can fail on 'K' Series engines. Overly light steering.
Model History
January 0001
Compact. Good looking. Low wind noise at speed. Stainless steel kickplates. 'Rover' image. All good performers for their engine size apart from 1.1 and 1.4 8-valve. Vi mode, fitted with MGF VVC engine tremendously quick and also very economical. Perky 1.6 CVT automatic offers instant acceleration out of side roads. 1.1 replaced Rover 100 as a sub-£10,000 offering.
All have three three-point rear belts.
Timing belts of L Series diesels apparently do last the scheduled 5 years or 84,000 miles.
What to watch out for
'K' Series engine inlet manifold 'O' rings tend to perish between 25 - 30,000 miles leading to loss of coolant, overheating and had gasket failure. Head gasket failure common because very low coolant capacity of engine means small leaks rapidly lead to overheating. Weakest point is water heated inlet manifold gasket. 'K' Series cylinder heads have been known to become porous and their head gaskets to fail (look for mayo under oil cap).
Possibility of camshaft coming adrift on 1.8 Vi.
Crankshaft sensor cable is too short on some cars and may pull out of the connector, immobilising the car.
Misfires commonly caused by failed resistor in rotor arm or by water ingress to coil as well as faulty ECU.
Variable gearshift quality. Different models have different linkages, but a hollow pin wears and may drop out. No big deal since a replacement costs just 6p.
Timing belt replacement on K Series essential every 35,000-40,000 miles or every 3-4 years.
Backroom advice from expert David Lacey on buying a Rover 200 diesel: "Watch out for oil leaks from the oil pump area, coolant leaks from the thermostat housing at the front of the engine, cracked/broken/missing underbelly acoustic trays (Expensive), cambelt & fuel pump belt change at 84000 miles. Check that the radio and remote control on the steering wheel works and also check that you receive TWO sets of keys with TWO remote controls as the key will be useless to start the engine on its own without the remote. Another remote will cost about £80." If has ABS, fuse is on the ABS ECU inside the car and easily dislodged by clothing causing dash to show ABS faulkt warning.
