1999 Rover 211 — MOT failures & pass rate
277 MOT tests on the 1999 Rover 211 are in this dataset, and 74.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.5%) and body, structure & corrosion (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, joints and prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.5% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 29 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 24 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 23 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.6% | 21 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.4% | 15 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 2 | Joints | 19 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 16 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 13 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.1% | 64 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.2% | 56 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.3% | 48 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 43 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.4% | 37 |
| 6 | Suspension | 13.4% | 37 |
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 | 34 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 121 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 81 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 31 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 59 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 53 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 43 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 36 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 1999 211
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Emissions & environmental (8.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1999 Rover 211s pass their MOT?
74.4% of the 277 1999 Rover 211 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Rover 211?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (8.7%).
Does the 1999 211 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 277 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.