1998 Rover - Austin 200 Di review from UK and Ireland

The car had a bit of a "moment" on a dual carriageway when the throttle jammed open and the engine over-heated due to the engine not turning off even with the key removed. It's been OK since though. There have been no other problems despite some hard and fast miles in a short space of time though (4000 miles in less than a month).

For £142 there wasn't much to expect, I just needed something cheap and reliable. There was a bit of crash damage (hence the price) but other than that the car was mechanically good. A new offside mirror, rear door and hatchback sorted out the crash damage.

The Mk3 200 series is a remarkably decent car given the constraints of time and money Rover had at the time, certainly up to the best of its rivals.

In handling it excels, with a neutral balance typical of other Rovers of the era. The steering is very good compared with other Rovers, just light enough, but it still tells you about the road surface. The ride also is great for such a small car, it just sails over poor surfaces.

Rover's intercooled L-series direct injection turbo-diesel engine chucked into such a small car makes for decent performance, with 60MPH from rest coming up in under 10 seconds and moving acceleration times (50-70 etc.) better than that of the 'hot' Rover 200Vi.

The engine sounds like such a tractor nobody will ever guess it's actually quite fast...

Maybe I've been using too much of the performance, but economy in my hands hasn't been exceptional like the 63MPG claims in the handbook - low to mid 40s is more like it. The engine's acceptance of alternative fuels such as vegetable oil makes up for it though.

Unfortunately the interior is rather cramped and dated with its orange-glowing illumination and plasticky switchgear. It's well-made though with no rattles.

Specification is reasonable for a base model, with front electric windows, remote central locking, alarm and immobiliser.

Exterior styling is better, the 200 still looks quite modern today - probably because its sister, the Rover 25, was on sale until the collapse of MG-Rover in 2005.