What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Rover 620.
The Rover 620 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Rover 620 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Rover 620? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
620 (1993–1999) — Engine options included the 2.0 T-Series. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting area corrosion (£400–£800 to address).
The steel structure around suspension mounting points suffers from corrosion that compromises structural integrity. This affects the fundamental safety of the vehicle as weakened mounting points can allow suspension components to detach. The problem worsens with age and exposure to road salt, making cars from the 1990s particularly vulnerable.
If mounting points fail completely, suspension components can detach causing immediate loss of control and a serious accident. Even partial failure affects suspension geometry, tyre wear patterns, and handling safety. Structural repairs typically require cutting out corroded sections and welding in new metal, costing £800-£1,500 per corner if caught early. Advanced corrosion may render the car uneconomical to repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Rubber dust covers protecting ball joints and suspension bushes deteriorate at an exceptional rate on this model, with MOT data showing failures at 26.9x the national fleet average. Once split or missing, dirt and water ingress rapidly destroys the underlying joint or bush. This creates a cascade effect where multiple suspension components fail in quick succession, making early detection and replacement crucial for controlling repair costs.
Once dust covers fail, the protected joint typically fails within 6-12 months depending on driving conditions. Multiple joints often need replacement simultaneously as they deteriorate at similar rates. Total suspension refresh including ball joints, drop links, and track rod ends can cost £600-£1,200. Driving with severely worn joints affects steering precision and can be dangerous.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Constant velocity joint rubber boots fail at 9.6x the national fleet average according to MOT data. The boots protect the CV joints from dirt and water while retaining the special grease needed for smooth operation. Once compromised, the joints quickly develop wear leading to clicking noises and eventual failure. This is particularly problematic on the 620 due to the age of rubber components and limited availability of replacement boots.
A split boot allows grease to leak out and contaminants to enter the CV joint. The joint typically fails within 6-18 months, causing clicking noises that progress to complete failure. A failed CV joint prevents the wheel from being driven and requires recovery. Replacing just the boot costs £80-150 per side if caught early, but a worn joint requires a complete new driveshaft at £200-350 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The exhaust system suffers from accelerated corrosion, failing MOT tests at 8.4x the national fleet average. The rear silencer and intermediate sections are particularly prone to rust-through from both internal moisture and external road salt exposure. Cars from the 1990s typically require partial or complete exhaust replacement during ownership, with the problem starting relatively early in the vehicle's life.
A leaking exhaust system causes noise, poor emissions performance leading to MOT failure, and potential carbon monoxide hazard if fumes enter the cabin. A complete exhaust system replacement costs £200-400 depending on specification, while individual sections can be replaced for £80-150. The car remains safe to drive with minor exhaust leaks but must be repaired for MOT compliance.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The handbrake system fails MOT tests at nearly 8x the national fleet average, with common issues including cable corrosion, poor adjustment, and uneven operation between sides. The rear drum brake setup uses cables that corrode internally, causing the handbrake to seize partially applied or fail to hold effectively. This is a particular issue on cars that have not had regular cable maintenance.
Poor handbrake performance fails the MOT efficiency test and represents a safety risk on slopes. Seized cables can cause the rear brakes to drag, leading to overheating, poor fuel economy, and accelerated brake wear. Complete cable replacement typically costs £150-250 including adjustment. In extreme cases, dragging brakes can cause brake fade and fire risk.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Rover 620 common problems page.
Based on 4k real DVSA MOT tests, the Rover 620 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated at 27x the fleet average, followed by suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (22x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Rover 620 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £45–£75 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt and water pump (£250–£400).
See the full Rover 620 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Rover 620 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Rover 620, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Rover 620 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.