1994 Rover 416 — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 262 MOT tests analysed for the 1994 Rover 416, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 72.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (77.3%).

Pass rate

262

MOT tests analysed

27.1%

Fail rate

worse than

vs cars of similar age

28.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 1994 Rover 416
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Suspension	10.7%	28
2	Body, structure & corrosion	9.5%	25
3	Lighting & signalling	9.5%	25
4	Emissions & environmental	7.6%	20
5	Brakes	5.3%	14
6	Visibility	5.3%	14

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 1994 Rover 416
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Component mounting prescribed areas	36
2	Catalyst emissions	27
3	Position lamp	13
4	Exhaust system	11
5	Joints	11
6	Prescribed areas	10

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 1994 Rover 416
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Suspension	31.3%	82
2	Tyres	20.6%	54
3	Emissions & environmental	20.2%	53
4	Body, structure & corrosion	17.9%	47
5	Other defects	16.0%	42
6	Brakes	15.3%	40

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 1994 416
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
30-60k	60	35.0%
60-90k	100	16.0%
90-120k	48	29.2%
120-150k	38	36.8%

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 1994 416
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2021	84	29.8%
2022	61	29.5%
2023	50	22.0%
2024	40	27.5%

What to check before buying a 1994 416

Before buying a 1994 Rover 416, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 10.7% of tests for this year.

Suspension (10.7% 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.
Body, structure & corrosion (9.5% 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+.
Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.

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 416s pass their MOT?

72.9% of the 262 1994 Rover 416 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Rover 416?

Suspension, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.5%).

Does the 1994 416 get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 35.0% in the 30-60k band to 36.8% in the 120-150k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 262 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.