1992 Rover 214 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1992 Rover 214 passed 77.6% of its 272 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (22.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (10.3%) and lighting & signalling (8.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 29.4% once past 90-120k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 21.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 28 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 24 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 22 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.1% | 14 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.9% | 8 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 20 |
| 3 | Wipers | 9 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 9 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 9 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.0% | 57 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.3% | 47 |
| 3 | Other defects | 16.2% | 44 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.4% | 42 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.1% | 41 |
| 6 | Brakes | 13.2% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 91 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 88 | 22.7% |
| 90-120k | 34 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 17.5% |
| 2022 | 56 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 51 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 56 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 46 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 1992 214
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: emissions & environmental accounted for 10.3% of tests. Start there.
- Emissions & environmental (10.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.1% 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 1992 Rover 214s pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 272 1992 Rover 214 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Rover 214?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.8%).
Does the 1992 214 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 30-60k band to 29.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 272 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.