Rover 3500
From 456 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen and brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 18 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 18 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 18 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 16 |
| 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 | 12 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 10 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 9 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 8 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 7 |
| parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 6 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 6 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 21.8% of 3500 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 20.9% 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 £136.
Typical mileage
Half of all 3500s tested had between 51,083 and 99,328 miles on the clock.
At 75,397 median miles, the 3500 has 0.02 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 3500 MOT pass rate?
The Rover 3500 has a 84.6% MOT pass rate based on 456 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Rover 3500?
The most common MOT failure on the Rover 3500 is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 18 failures. Other common issues include windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen.
What is the typical mileage of a Rover 3500 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Rover 3500 is 75,397 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 51,083 and 99,328 miles.
Buying a used 3500?
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 84.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £136 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.