1999 Rover 216 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 372 MOT tests, the 1999 Rover 216 recorded a 73.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.2%, so the 1999 216 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (12.1%) and lighting & signalling (10.5%) 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 56 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.4% versus 22.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 12.1% | 45 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 39 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 39 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.7% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 20 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Joints | 27 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 21 |
| 4 | Wipers | 14 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 13 |
| 6 | Emissions not tested | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 23.9% | 89 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.6% | 73 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 66 |
| 4 | Suspension | 17.7% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.7% | 36 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 32 |
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 | 109 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 196 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 46 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 113 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 88 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 62 | 21.0% |
| 2024 | 58 | 20.7% |
| 2025 | 51 | 35.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 216
On a 1999 216, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (12.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (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 (10.5% 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+.
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 216s pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 372 1999 Rover 216 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Rover 216?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.5%).
Does the 1999 216 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 372 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.