1992 Rover 216 — MOT failures & pass rate
366 MOT tests on the 1992 Rover 216 are in this dataset, and 78.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.0% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests against 9.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 29 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.6% versus 16.0%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.0% in 2021 to 18.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 33 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 18 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 2 | Joints | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 19 |
| 5 | Wipers | 18 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | Tyres | 22.9% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.4% | 82 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 54 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.4% | 49 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.8% | 43 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 75 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 116 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 65 | 16.9% |
| 120-150k | 44 | 20.4% |
| 150k+ | 46 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 86 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 72 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 63 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 49 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 1992 216
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
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 216s pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 366 1992 Rover 216 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Rover 216?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 1992 216 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 30-60k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 366 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.