Item: Used Rover CityRover Hatchback 2003 - 2005
Author: What Car? Team

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Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Once a bastion of the British car industry, Rover is no longer a going concern anywhere but in the used car market.</p>

<p dir="ltr">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.</p>

<p dir="ltr">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.</p>


ROVER

CITYROVER

<p>Very cheap, but there's little else going for the Rover CityRover - there are much better alternatives</p>


Used Rover CityRover Hatchback 2003 - 2005

<p>This was a very cheap car to start with, and values took a nosedive when Rover went belly-up. Although buyers of the new car were stung, this is good news for used buyers.</p>

<p>However, the runnning costs don't match its low prices. The 1.4-litre engine will return an average of only 37.9mpg, for example, while many competitors of the same era are up in the 50s and even the 60s.</p>

<p>The only saving grace is that servicing costs will be helped by the fact that you'll have no choice but to take the car to an independent dealer for routine work.</p>

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Very cheap, but there's little else going for the Rover CityRover - there are much better alternatives

<p>There's just one engine available - a 1.4-litre petrol engine with 84bhp - and it gives better performance than you'll find in most city cars. It feels sprightly around city streets and, unlike most city cars, it feels like it has plenty more to give on the motorway.</p>

<p>There are four versions to choose from. The entry-level Solo comes with a height-adjustable steering wheel, an alarm and a split-folding rear seat. Second-rung Sprite models add alloy wheels, remote central locking and a CD player, while our favourite, the Select model, gets air-con and also provides a full set of electric windows.</p>

<p>The most expensive Style version receives the anti-lock brakes and a passenger airbag that the other models miss out on, but the extra amount you'll have to pay is ridiculous.</p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

<p>Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.</p>

<p>The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.</p>

<p>Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.</p>

Small

<p>Rover has an extremely mixed record when it comes to reliability. And, although it seems that Rover's older models generally fare worst, the CityRover is a different kettle of fish as it's a re-badged Tata.</p>

<p>We've heard reports that oil and water leaks are commonplace, and that the cheap interior develops rattles easily. The door locks have also experienced their fair share of faults.</p>

<p>There's also the fact that the future supply of spare parts is uncertain, so you're best advised to think carefully before buying.</p>

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<p>Having to rescue an entire company from financial ruin is a tall order for any car, and it's no wonder that the Rover CityRover failed to do the business for MG Rover. What's more, even taking into account the fact that the car was faced with a near-enough impossible task, it missed the mark by a long, long way.</p>

<p>It's not that surprising that the CityRover had so many limitations. After all, it was a Tata Indica (a supermini from India) that was re-badged and flogged as the saviour of the British car industry.</p>

<p>Granted, it had lots of interior space, it was quite brisk for a city car and it was one of the most practical cars in the class. However, it still managed to be uncomfortable, it was cheaply made with poor materials and the drive was woeful. Refinement was terrible and the ride was even worse.</p>

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Used Rover CityRover Hatchback 2003 - 2005 review

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Alternatives

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