1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 3.5 Litre Auto models manufactured in 1971, based on 884 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 3.5 Litre Auto cars tested in 1971. Want to see how cars built in 1971 hold up over time?
View 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto vintage page → (88.6% current pass rate)1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto MOT Analysis
The 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto has an MOT pass rate of 79.3% based on 884 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 55,358 miles on the odometer. With a 20.7% failure rate, the 1971 3.5 Litre Auto is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto is Steering, responsible for 0.3% of failures. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs range from £150–600. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 0.2%. Visibility follows at 0.1%.
Top failures specific to 1971 models only. The overall 3.5 Litre Auto page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 0.3% | 3 |
| 2 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.2% | 2 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 55,358 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 0.06 | 0.3% | 3 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.2% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.02 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto has an MOT pass rate of 79.3% based on 884 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 55,358 miles on the odometer. With a 20.7% failure rate, the 1971 3.5 Litre Auto is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to steering: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels. At 55,358 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Steering — 0.3% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.3% of MOT failures on 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Body, chassis, structure — 0.2% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Visibility — 0.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1971 Rover 3.5 Litre Auto models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.