Rover 620 GSDi

ENGINE 1997cc/4-cyl/OHC POWER 103bhp@4200rpm TORQUE 155lb ft @2000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 115mph 0-60MPH 11.6sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 37-45mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed manual MoT June 2020 ODOMETER 68,430 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Flick the key and you might find that there’s an issue straightaway – on our test drive there was a problem with a sticking ignition barrel, which the vendor is sorting out, but check it carefully if you’re viewing the car. Once you’ve waggled the key all the dashboard lights flicker on and go out correctly upon starting up and the glow plug light works normally. The L-series turbodiesel chugs into life with no hesitation, and once on the road there’s no sign of black exhaust smoke under acceleration. The power-assisted steering has a consistent, play-free lightness and there are no knocks or judders over bumps. There is no crunching or resistance from the gearchange and the clutch is light and easy to use. There’s no juddering from the brakes, but they do pull to the left a little.

BODYWORK CHECK

The Zircon Silver paint has worn its years well, with a clear, consistent finish throughout and no signs of corrosion creeping through. Minor scratches on the 15-inch alloy wheels won’t bother daily drivers and while the tyres are mismatched – Dunlops on the rear, Hankooks up front – they’re within legal tread limits and have no bulges or cracks on the sidewalls. There’s a spare and Rover-supplied toolkit in the boot, too.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

It’s good to see that all of the range-topping GS-spec toys, including the electric sunroof, air conditioning and electric windows, still work as Cowley intended. The leather seats are in pretty good order, too, although the cracking on the driver’s seat bolster would benefit from some attention. The factory-fitted radio/cassette player – and the electric radio aerial that it commands – still work correctly, too, as do all of

the instruments and switches. There are no marks or cracks on the dashboard and no damp in the footwells.

UNDER THE BONNET

There aren’t any immediate signs to suggest trouble with the 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor, with no visible oil leaks or deposits on the filler cap. The dipstick indicates that the oil is at the correct level and a healthy goldish-brown colour. Equally, the radiator appears to be in good order, with no traces of any previous leaks and the battery looks recent. This Rover also comes with an encouraging stash of old receipts, and a Rover service history booklet that has stamps and information detailing its mechanical attention up to 60,000 miles.

THE CCW VIEW

As long as that ignition barrel issue is sorted we don’t see any reason why this 600 couldn’t be ploughed back into everyday service – everything else works well and it’s a comfortable modern classic cruiser. It’s not the cheapest 600 out there, but has clearly been looked after.