Rover 218 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Rover 218 appears in 811 MOT tests spanning model years 1991–1999, and 73.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.9% fail rate), the 218 comes out 1.6pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.3%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 100 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.9% in the 30-60k band and 31.1% in the 150k+ band, a 8.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every 218 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 32 | 84.4% | 15.6% | Suspension |
| 1994 | 100 | 69.0% | 31.0% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1995 | 119 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1997 | 143 | 74.1% | 25.9% | Brakes |
| 1998 | 332 | 74.1% | 25.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 39 | 76.9% | 23.1% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 100 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 94 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 81 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 71 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 71 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 37 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.2% | 26 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.6% | 21 |
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 | 100 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 85 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 70 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 35 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 28 |
| 7 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 28 |
| 8 | Service brake imbalance | 27 |
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 | 25.3% | 205 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.9% | 186 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.3% | 132 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.2% | 115 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 99 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.7% | 87 |
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 | 140 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 198 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 200 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 140 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 106 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 515 | 25.8% |
| Diesel | 296 | 27.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 198 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 178 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 159 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 145 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 131 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a Rover 218
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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.
- Suspension (10.0% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Rover 218?
73.5% of the 811 Rover 218 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 26.5% fail rate, across model years 1991–1999.
What does the Rover 218 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, then brakes (11.6%).
How much does mileage affect 218 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 22.9% for cars in the 30-60k band and 31.1% for 150k+, a 8.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 811 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.