Faults:

Exhaust rusted at 66000 miles.

General Comments:

For it's second hand price,£600 I paid, it was the best car I've ever been driving.

Reasonable to run, £10 for 120 miles. On the highway, when speed hits to 90mph I used to fell all noise inside.

Also corner handling wasn't so good. I remember some scary moment with my car even if I'm not a fast driver.

It's quite spacious in the car, even if it doesn't drive perfect, it's really so comfortable if you don't drive in high speeds.

Wind screen is larger than usual and I think that's the best part of the car. You see the road and front of the car so clearly. Specially for new drivers, it's so helpful to drive in the city.

Interior is simple and clean, nothing to be confused of, seats are large enough, there's also enough leg space in front and back seats.

If you're looking for a cheap, reliable, comfortable car, I think this is one of the best you can find.

Faults:

Drivers electric window did not shut properly - had to be manually manoeuvred into place. New window regulator did not fix the problem. Passengers window also on its way out.

General Comments:

Engine reliability could not be faulted (Honda engine), though had to be worked quite hard for performance. Interior was pleasant with lashings of wood and controls well placed. Bodywork good for a 9 year old car with no rust.

Faults:

The bulb for clock and radio display stopped working soon after purchasing the car. It was rather expensive to buy (Main dealer only!) and was extremely awkward to fit.

Starter motor packed up. Rover UK quoted £150.00+ for the part alone! I used a non-manufacturer's starter motor in the end, at half the price...

Gearbox was replaced.

Head gasket went pop. Typical fault of all K-series engines. I should have bought a diesel.

General Comments:

The car is lovely to drive and the drive is unbelievably comfortable.

Steering feel is a bit remote, but I soon got used to it. Handling is confident, but rather floaty.

Seats are a bit small, the old Rover 200/Honda Concerto were far superior.

Interior quality is rather mediocre.

The car has excellent standard spec for the year, including ABS, electric sunroof and remote central locking.

Rear seat space is cramped, despite the car's size.

Rover should have marketed the car as an Escort/Golf competitor. It would have fared much better. Instead, Rover decided to chase Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 406. Mad!

Faults:

Oil seeping to water cooling system.

Head gasket was removed. No corrosion visible, but the two plastic dowels showed wear. Difficult to understand how the oil seeped to the water chambers as the seals on the gasket showed good sealing.

If the dowels are replaced with two metal ones and the gasket replaced would this solve the problem? Any help? Thanks Michael.

Faults:

The clutch arm developed a crack that made it impossible to use the gears. The problem was hard to identify and the dealer failed to diagnose the fault, but wanted to put in a new clutch, new slave cylinder and a new gearbox to see if that fixed the problem!

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable car that handles well in all weather and road conditions.

It has a reasonable amount of power, and is fun to drive.

Unfortunately the Rover dealership (Chapman's, Co. Kildare, Ireland), have an atrocious maintenance and diagnostic department.

The parts are expensive and take time to reach Ireland. Trade-in values are also poor as the Rover 414i has a reputation for mechanical problems.

Faults:

At 36000 miles a cylinder liner has broken and the head gasket blown. The damage was bad enough that the engine has had to be scrapped.

General Comments:

The interior is nice.

Driver and passenger seats are set too low.