Rover 618 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 6 model years and 1,225 tests, the Rover 618 passes its MOT 74.9% of the time. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are brakes, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 13.4% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), joints and stop lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 98 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.2% versus 20.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every 618 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 65 | 69.2% | 30.8% | Brakes |
| 1997 | 302 | 75.5% | 24.5% | Brakes |
| 1998 | 237 | 75.9% | 24.1% | Brakes |
| 1999 | 620 | 74.8% | 25.2% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.4% | 164 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 127 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 119 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.7% | 82 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 69 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 60 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.9% | 48 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.6% | 44 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 98 |
| 2 | Joints | 90 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 64 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 60 |
| 5 | Wipers | 56 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 52 |
| 7 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 8 | Exhaust system | 37 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.8% | 377 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.7% | 327 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.1% | 246 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.7% | 204 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 204 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 191 |
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 | 248 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 345 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 275 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 180 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 149 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 346 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 288 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 218 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 198 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 175 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a Rover 618
- Brakes (13.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% 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 (9.7% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Rover 618?
74.9% of the 1,225 Rover 618 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.1% fail rate, across model years 1996–2001.
What does the Rover 618 most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 13.4% of tests, then body, structure & corrosion (10.4%).
How much does mileage affect 618 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 20.6% for cars in the 30-60k band and 28.2% for 150k+, a 7.6-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,225 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.