1994 Rover 216 — MOT failures & pass rate
646 MOT tests on the 1994 Rover 216 are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (23.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (10.7%) and lighting & signalling (10.2%) 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 component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 54 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.9% versus 18.7%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 24.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 69 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 54 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 45 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 28 |
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 | 54 |
| 2 | Joints | 35 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 31 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 25 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
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 | 24.0% | 155 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 117 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 112 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 111 |
| 5 | Brakes | 14.7% | 95 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 85 |
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 | 139 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 236 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 182 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 22.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 21.6% |
| 2022 | 145 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 139 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 98 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 97 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 1994 216
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 10.7% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.7% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 1994 Rover 216s pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 646 1994 Rover 216 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Rover 216?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.2%).
Does the 1994 216 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 30-60k band to 22.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 646 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.