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Once a bastion of the British car industry, Rover is no longer a going concern anywhere but in the used car market.

For the canny buyer, that can be as good news as it is for the enthusiastic collectors of the firm’s finer models. Some of the cars from its later history remain in reasonable supply, can prove mechanically sound and come at rock-bottom prices.

Most collectable of them all is the Rover Mini, but for those looking to buy some no-nonsense transport for pocket money, the likes of the 25, 75, CityRover and Streetwise can make sound investments, especially if you can find later examples that aren’t yet overwhelmed by having covered giant mileages.

ROVER

Apart from some engineering strengths, the Rover 45 doesn't stack up against its rivals

Used Rover 45 Hatchback 1999 - 2005

It's important not to pay over the odds for a used 45, because they are not the cheapest cars to insure in this class.

Fuel economy is good, though. Choose the 1.4, or even the more powerful 1.6 petrol, and provided the engines are in a good state of tune and you're not too heavy on the throttle, you could achieve up to 40mpg.

Pick the CVT model mated to the 1.8 petrol engine, and you should get around 30mpg in everyday use - more on long, steady motorway runs.

The days of taking your Rover to an official dealer are, of course, over, but there's still an extensive network of independents out there with good knowledge of the product, so having work carried out is no more expensive than having a Ford Focus fettled.

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Apart from some engineering strengths, the Rover 45 doesn't stack up against its rivals

Ignore the diesel versions, for a start. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel is available in two states of tune, 100 and 110bhp, yet even the more powerful version fails to do the business. It's short of low-down punch and, perhaps more crucially, it's unrefined. If you want a quiet, civilised life, it's best avoided.

The 2.0-litre KV6 engine was well received and worked well with the Steptronic CVT automatic gearbox, but whether such a small car merited such a large engine is debateable.

Certainly we have always favoured the smallest and simplest, in the form of the 102bhp 1.4, although the 107bhp 1.6 and 115bhp 1.8 are impressive, too.

In April 2004, the 45's exterior was revised and the interior freshened up. There were further enhancements in 2005, and before the end came, final-spec GLI cars had alloy wheels and leather trim. It's worth sourcing a GSI if you can, because that also gets air-con.

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

It may surprise you to learn that the British-built Rover 45 held its head relatively high in the What Car? JD Power customer satisfaction surveys: it has managed a mid-table finish.

Of course, the 45's not without its problems, and blown head gaskets on four-cylinder petrol engines are not an uncommon fault. The tell-tale signs include a dipstick that looks like it's coated in mayonnaise.

Even if you buy a sound engine, check regularly for water leaks because the coolant capacity was never really big enough and the fluid can drain away all too quickly, leading to problems.

The front suspension can be prone to faults, too, and needs checking thoroughly before you buy a 45. Loose trim and faulty electrics can also cause frustration if not spotted before the cash is handed over.

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The Rover 45 replaced the Honda Civic-based 400 in 1999, but it was far from an all-new model. The headlights, front grille and bumpers were revised, but much of the bodywork remained the same, although the engines and interior were revamped.

Two models were launched, a four-door saloon and this more practical, family-friendly five-door hatch. The petrol engines have always enjoyed a good reputation for refinement and performance, and the gearboxes are good, too.

Although Rover steadily improved the 45's ride and handling during its six-year life, it's fair to say the car was never at the top of the class. The sense of feel and driver involvement never matched that of the much more enjoyable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>.

The cabin has a decidedly old-fashioned feel, and the driving position is poor, while any tall adults confined to the rear seats simply won't have enough space.

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Used Rover 45 Hatchback 1999 - 2005 review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

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It's important not to pay over the odds for a used 45, because they are not the cheapest cars to insure in this class.,Fuel economy is good, though. Choose the 1.4, or even the more powerful 1.6 petrol, and provided the engines are in a good state of tune and you're not too heavy on the throttle, you could achieve up to 40mpg.,Pick the CVT model mated to the 1.8 petrol engine, and you should get around 30mpg in everyday use - more on long, steady motorway runs.The days of taking your Rover to an official dealer are, of course, over, but there's still an extensive network of independents out there with good knowledge of the product, so having work carried out is no more expensive than having a Ford Focus fettled. 

Find out how much the Rover 45 1999 - 2005 costs to run, covering expected MPG, servicing costs and insurance costs.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Used Rover 45 Hatchback 1999 - 2005 review

Rover 45 1.6 Impression 5dr

Rover 45 1.8 Club 4dr

Ownership cost

What used Rover 45 hatchback will I get for my budget?

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