1997 Rover 400 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 400 models manufactured in 1997, based on 37 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1997 Rover 400 MOT Analysis
The 1997 Rover 400 has an MOT pass rate of 48.6% based on 37 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 83,614 miles on the odometer. With a 51.4% failure rate, the 1997 400 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 Rover 400 is Brakes, responsible for 5.4% 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. Tyres is the second most common issue at 5.4%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 2.7%.
Top failures specific to 1997 models only. The overall 400 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 | 5.4% | 2 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.4% | 2 |
| 3 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 2.7% | 1 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 83,614 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.65 | 5.4% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.65 | 5.4% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.32 | 2.7% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.32 | 2.7% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 Rover 400 has an MOT pass rate of 48.6% based on 37 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 83,614 miles on the odometer. With a 51.4% failure rate, the 1997 400 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 Rover 400, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. 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 an average mileage of 83,614 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 5.4% of failures
Brakes issues account for 5.4% of MOT failures on 1997 Rover 400 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).
Tyres — 5.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 5.4% of MOT failures on 1997 Rover 400 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Body, chassis, structure — 2.7% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 2.7% of MOT failures on 1997 Rover 400 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.