1991 Rover - Austin 400 GSD review from UK and Ireland

Alternator failed at 125000 miles.

Driver's window very slow to wind up, and sometimes jams.

Oil pipe blew from cooler to engine, resulting in sump being dumped - No damage to engine however.

Power Steering fluid pipe leak.

Metal water-cooling pipe went rotten behind offside wing.

Headlight relay fried.

Trailing arms needed replacing at 113000.

CV joints needed to be replaced at 133000.

Trailing arm bushes replaced at 148000.

This car is not to be under estimated. OK, it's not a 0-60 drag racer; standing starts are not this cars strong point so don't buy one to race away from the lights. The torque available however as soon as the turbo gets up to speed is inspiring. Overtaking at speeds over 50mph is breeze in fourth. The handling is superb; with anti roll bars front and rear, it makes twisty B roads a joy. This car will put to shame a lot of much more modern cars in terms of performance, handling and the excellent high specification equipment. Even with the mileage of my car, the emissions are still as low as they were at it's first MOT, there is very little exhaust smoke and will only consume half a litre of oil every 6000 - 8000 miles. The cabin has very little wear even after such high mileage, although this is helped enormously by the full leather interior. Economy is superb; I get about 45 - 50 mpg and only need to fill the 55-litre tank once every 500 miles. The only negative issue I have with this car is the excessive noise of the engine entering the cabin, especially at idle speed.

This car has been tried and tested to the extreme and has proved to be very reliable.