Rover 218
From 360 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are emissions levels exceed default limits, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, emissions levels exceed default limits, caused 27 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 27 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 25 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 18 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 18 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 17 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 16 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 16 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 16 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 16 |
| braking effort inadequate at a wheel | 15 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.5% of 218 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 31% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £170.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 62.9% | emissions levels exceed default limits, braking effort inadequate at a wheel |
Typical mileage
Half of all 218s tested had between 69,800 and 126,045 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 109,003 median miles, the 218 has 0.034 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Rover models
| Rover Mini | 75.8% |
| Rover 75 | 67.7% |
| Rover 25 | 68.2% |
| Rover 45 | 65.3% |
| Rover 216 | 72% |
Common questions
What is the Rover 218 MOT pass rate?
The Rover 218 has a 63.3% MOT pass rate based on 360 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Rover 218?
The most common MOT failure on the Rover 218 is emissions levels exceed default limits, which caused 27 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Rover 218 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Rover 218 is 109,003 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 69,800 and 126,045 miles.
Buying a used 218?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 63.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £170 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.