1997 Rover 416 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 384 MOT tests, the 1997 Rover 416 recorded a 73.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.2% fail rate), the 1997 416 comes out 1.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.0%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 47 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.4% in the 30-60k band and 43.2% in the 120-150k band, a 19.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.9% in 2021 to 23.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 46 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 44 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 40 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.9% | 38 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.5% | 29 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 15 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 35 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 31 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 16 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 14 |
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 | 35.4% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.8% | 103 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.3% | 82 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.1% | 81 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.1% | 58 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.8% | 57 |
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 | 94 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 141 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 84 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 37 | 43.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 119 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 86 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 75 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 58 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 46 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 1997 416
On a 1997 416, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% 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+.
- Emissions & environmental (10.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1997 Rover 416s pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 384 1997 Rover 416 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Rover 416?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.5%).
Does the 1997 416 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.4% in the 30-60k band to 43.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 384 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.