1998 Rover 114 — MOT failures & pass rate
282 MOT tests on the 1998 Rover 114 are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.6% of the time, so this is 1.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.2%) and lighting & signalling (13.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake imbalance — service brake performance alone was recorded 34 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.2% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.2% | 40 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 32 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 19 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 18 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 34 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 20 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 18 |
| 6 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.9% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.8% | 53 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 47 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.0% | 45 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.7% | 33 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 62 | 22.6% |
| 30-60k | 156 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 53 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 64 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 47 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 54 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 43 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 1998 114
On a 1998 114, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (14.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Rover 114s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 282 1998 Rover 114 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Rover 114?
Brakes, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.5%).
Does the 1998 114 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 282 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.