1973 Rover 3.5 Litre MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 3.5 Litre models manufactured in 1973, based on 40 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1973 Rover 3.5 Litre MOT Analysis
The 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre has an MOT pass rate of 65.0% based on 40 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 25,340 miles on the odometer. With a 35.0% failure rate, the 1973 3.5 Litre is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre is Brakes, responsible for 2.5% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 2.5%. Visibility follows at 2.5%.
Top failures specific to 1973 models only. The overall 3.5 Litre 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 | Brakes | 2.5% | 1 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.5% | 1 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 25,340 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.99 | 2.5% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.99 | 2.5% | 1 |
| Visibility | 0.99 | 2.5% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre has an MOT pass rate of 65.0% based on 40 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 25,340 miles on the odometer. With a 35.0% failure rate, the 1973 3.5 Litre is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: 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). With relatively low average mileage of 25,340 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Brakes — 2.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 2.5% of MOT failures on 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre models. 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).
Noise, emissions and leaks — 2.5% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 2.5% of MOT failures on 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre models. 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.
Visibility — 2.5% of failures
Visibility issues account for 2.5% of MOT failures on 1973 Rover 3.5 Litre 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.