Rover 420
From 336 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are 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, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement and braking effort inadequate at a wheel. The top issue, 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, caused 33 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| 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 | 33 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 13 |
| braking effort inadequate at a wheel | 12 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 12 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 10 |
| lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 8 |
| headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing | 8 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 8 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 8 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 7 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 34.5% of 420 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 27.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £176.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 72% while Diesel versions pass at 59%, a 13 percentage point gap.
Typical mileage
Half of all 420s tested had between 67,237 and 125,310 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 82,640 median miles, the 420 has 0.038 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 420 MOT pass rate?
The Rover 420 has a 68.2% MOT pass rate based on 336 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Rover 420?
The most common MOT failure on the Rover 420 is 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, which caused 33 failures. Other common issues include parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
What is the typical mileage of a Rover 420 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Rover 420 is 82,640 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 67,237 and 125,310 miles.
Buying a used 420?
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 68.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £176 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 34.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.