ROVER 200 CABRIOLET

You’ll struggle to find a classic ragtop for less – so here’s what to look for

CHECK THE ENGINE...

The Rover K-series engine’s faults are well known, the key one being a tendency to blow cylinder head gaskets. A wrecked engine can render a Cabriolet worthless. The K-series engine also needs a new cambelt every 60,000 miles or five years. This engine’s tappets are hydraulic, so if they’re rattly after the initial start-up it may be the ‘head needs some TLC; new replacements are £460.

...EVEN IF IT’S A HONDA ONE

The Honda D-series on the 216i models is tough, but cylinder head gaskets can blow so check for mayonnaise on the underside of the oil filler cap. However, as long as the oil is changed every 4000 miles these engines can last 150,000 miles or more, although distributor caps can crack, so listen for misfiring. Non-starting or rough running is usually down to a failed fuel relay ignition or components.

CHECK THE TRANSMISSION

Start the engine and let it tick over in neutral, then press the clutch; if things get noisy, the gearbox bearings have worn so a rebuild is due – a decent used unit costs anything from £50 to £300. If things get noisier as you release the clutch pedal, the release bearing is tired; a replacement is less than £30. On the move the gear change should be light and precise, although the clutch can be heavy. Any rumbling means that a gearbox rebuild is on the cards soon, but whining can persist if you can live with it; if the gears are hard to find the linkage needs TLC, but replacements aren’t readily available.

HOW’S THE BODYWORK?

Look for rust in the door bottoms, wheel arches, rear wings and windscreen surround. Focus on the rear of the sills, too, because once the strength has been compromised it’ll only make scuttle shake worse. If the bumpers are misaligned the car has probably been pranged at some point. Look at the boot floor from underneath, the rear light surrounds from inside the boot and the rearmost pillars; if any of these are out of shape, walk away.

CHECK THE ROOF

The manual hood is heavy and it’s recommended that operation is done with one person on either side to reduce twisting. The parts likely to break first are the small guide arms near the hinges and the internal tensioner wires, neither of which are available new. If the roof is powered the hydraulic pump can leak or fail to raise pressure. The first step is to check the fluid level in the integral reservoir behind the left-hand boot trim panel. New pumps are available for £300.