1999 Rover 416 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Rover 416 passed 68.7% of its 658 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.3% of the time, so this is 5.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 87 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.8% in the 30-60k band and 35.1% in the 150k+ band, a 9.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.1% | 93 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 92 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.8% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 81 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 52 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 87 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 58 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 53 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 46 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 42 |
| 6 | Joints | 36 |
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 | 33.9% | 223 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.9% | 177 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 160 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.0% | 125 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.9% | 118 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 94 |
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 | 186 | 25.8% |
| 60-90k | 245 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 133 | 35.3% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 42.1% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 216 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 163 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 112 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 90 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 77 | 33.8% |
What to check before buying a 1999 416
On a 1999 416, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.8% 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.
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 416s pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 658 1999 Rover 416 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Rover 416?
Suspension, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.0%).
Does the 1999 416 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 30-60k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 658 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.