Rover 21 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 61 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 54.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Rover 21 MOT Reliability Overview
The Rover 21 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 61 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 45.9% and a failure rate of 54.1%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Rover 21 earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Rover 21 presents for MOT with approximately 83,882 miles on the clock. The 1997 manufacture year performs best with a 46.2% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Rover 21 is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 36.1% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions at 27.9%. Brakes rounds out the top three at 24.6%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Best Year to Buy
📈 How Each Vintage Ages
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 82.0% | 50 |
| 2 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 67.2% | 41 |
| 3 | Brakes | 60.7% | 37 |
| 4 | Suspension | 41.0% | 25 |
| 5 | Tyres | 32.8% | 20 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 23.0% | 14 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 18.0% | 11 |
| 8 | Steering | 14.8% | 9 |
| 9 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.3% | 2 |
| 10 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 83,882 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 9.77 | 82.0% | 50 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 8.01 | 67.2% | 41 |
| Brakes | 7.23 | 60.7% | 37 |
| Suspension | 4.89 | 41.0% | 25 |
| Tyres | 3.91 | 32.8% | 20 |
| Seat Belts | 2.74 | 23.0% | 14 |
| Visibility | 2.15 | 18.0% | 11 |
| Steering | 1.76 | 14.8% | 9 |
| Body & Structure | 0.39 | 3.3% | 2 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.20 | 1.6% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Rover 21 has 83,882 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Rover 21 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 6.45% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Rover 21 MOT Data
The Rover 21 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 61 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 45.9% and a failure rate of 54.1%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Rover 21 owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and exhaust, fuel and emissions for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 21 is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 36.1% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 36.1% of MOT failures on the Rover 21. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 27.9% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 27.9% of MOT failures on the Rover 21. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Brakes — 24.6% of failures
Brakes issues account for 24.6% of MOT failures on the Rover 21. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Rover 21?
Based on 61 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Rover 21 has an overall pass rate of 45.9% (54.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Rover 21?
The top 3 reasons a Rover 21 fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (36.1%), 2. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (27.9%), 3. Brakes (24.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Rover 21 reliable?
With a 54.1% MOT failure rate, the 21 is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Rover 21?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (36.1%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (27.9%); Brakes (24.6%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.