Rover 618
From 444 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement and wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen. The top issue, a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, caused 34 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.
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 34 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 21 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 19 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 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 | 16 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 15 |
| 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 | 14 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 14 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 13 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 12 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 24.4% of 618 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 19.9% 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 £148.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 81.7% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated |
| 1997 | 64.8% | a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
Typical mileage
Half of all 618s tested had between 66,383 and 126,595 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 89,585 median miles, the 618 has 0.03 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 618 MOT pass rate?
The Rover 618 has a 73.2% MOT pass rate based on 444 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Rover 618?
The most common MOT failure on the Rover 618 is a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, which caused 34 failures. Other common issues include parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
What is the typical mileage of a Rover 618 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Rover 618 is 89,585 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 66,383 and 126,595 miles.
Buying a used 618?
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 73.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £148 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.