1995 Rover 214 — MOT failures & pass rate
767 MOT tests on the 1995 Rover 214 are in this dataset, and 73.9% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Emissions & environmental dominates the failure mix at 14.1% of all tests — 5.7 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 172 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 38.7% in the 150k+ band, a 32.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 108 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 64 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.7% | 59 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 58 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.8% | 37 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 31 |
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 | 172 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 69 |
| 3 | Wipers | 32 |
| 4 | Joints | 30 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 29 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 26 |
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 | 25.2% | 193 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.5% | 180 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 19.8% | 152 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 117 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.8% | 106 |
| 6 | Brakes | 13.3% | 102 |
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 | 30 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 207 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 305 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 139 | 36.0% |
| 120-150k | 55 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 38.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 197 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 186 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 140 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 129 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 115 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 1995 214
On a 1995 214, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (14.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% 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 1995 Rover 214s pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 767 1995 Rover 214 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Rover 214?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.3%).
Does the 1995 214 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 38.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 767 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.