1998 Rover - Austin 200 vi review from UK and Ireland

Wire became loose on seat belt pre-tensioner causing SRS light to illuminate.

Hot air blower speeds 1 & 2 stopped working. Cause is undetermined as yet.

Rust on tailpipe.

A serious consideration if you want a very quick hatchback car.

0-60 in a quoted 7.5 seconds (I've had it quicker), 142 bhp and relatively good fuel economy. Delivers about 38 mpg on combined and a good 40-45 mpg on a run.

The interior is very pleasing with leather seats and electrical gadgets to play with i. e electrically operated mirror, tilt and slide sunroof.

Everyone raves about the quality of the steering wheel, granted it is nice, but it is offset to one side of the seating position which can make driving feel awkward and uncomfortable if you are aware of it.

Rear leg room is cramped, but that isn't the sort of thing you are worried about when you buy this car.

The reals satisfaction is when you floor the pedal, it absolutely rockets through fist and second, and keeps on pulling in third.

This car leaves most of the hyped-up hot hatches behind in standing starts and in value for money.

Handling is good although it understeers in the wet (expected as its front wheel drive) and it wheel spins easily through first and second which is very frustrating when you are trying to make a quick getaway on roundabouts and junctions.

The car is reasonably comfortable over distances, but the cabin noise starts to get at you after a few hours although on short journeys the six speaker sound system does a good job of drowning it out.

Rover main dealer servicing is very costly, but costs can be kept reasonable if you shop around and/or by a Haynes manual.