Aparently, its down to the size of the coolant capacity and the radiator that lets the K series Rover engine down. It's the achillies heel, otherwise its a good engine
Basically it doesnt have enough coolant flowing round the system and this leads to head gasket failure. If you get a Rover, keep an eye on the coolant levels and religiously check every week.
Rover, the fools never put it right, all that was needed was a bigger radiator & coolant system!!. Buffoons!!

Tell your mate to bin it & get a decent 2nd hand cheap fiesta.......

Or, if he wants another Rover, tell him to buy a diesel, rover used proven Peugeot Diesels in the 200 series & after BMW took over, the diesel was the BMW unit (depending on the model). these engines never suffered the same way as the K-series engine