1995 Rover 416 — MOT failures & pass rate
455 MOT tests on the 1995 Rover 416 are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 1995 416 comes out 2.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.9%) and body, structure & corrosion (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 32 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 23.5% versus 17.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 45 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 28 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 27 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 22 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Wipers | 28 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 25 |
| 4 | Joints | 16 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 13 |
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 | 31.6% | 144 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 25.1% | 114 |
| 3 | Other defects | 24.6% | 112 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.2% | 110 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.9% | 95 |
| 6 | Brakes | 15.8% | 72 |
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 | 90 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 174 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 70 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 23.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 104 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 86 | 18.6% |
| 2024 | 73 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 65 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 1995 416
On a 1995 416, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.3% 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+.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 1995 Rover 416s pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 455 1995 Rover 416 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Rover 416?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (8.3%).
Does the 1995 416 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.8% in the 30-60k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 455 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.