A mates just told me his rover 214 has died, said that he noticed the heaters went cold and then lost all power and white smoke was coming from the exhaust. He managed to get it started and got home but its very reluctant to start now, but he said it sounds ok IF it starts, but obviously he hasnt kept trying to start it because he doesnt want to drive it until its sorted.

Does it sound like the head gasket? or maybe something else seeing as it doesnt sound like a bag of nails when its managed to fire up? i know they have problems with heads gaskets, maybe this one has never had a new one.