1999 Rover 618 — MOT failures & pass rate
620 MOT tests on the 1999 Rover 618 are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the 1999 618 comes out 1.0pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.4%) and lighting & signalling (10.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, rbt (sp) and stop lamp — joints alone was recorded 49 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.4% | 83 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 67 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 67 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.1% | 38 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 35 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.7% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 49 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 48 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 37 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 30 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 26 |
| 6 | Wipers | 25 |
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 | 33.1% | 205 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.1% | 143 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.7% | 110 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 94 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.7% | 91 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.4% | 83 |
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 | 133 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 215 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 88 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 44 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 162 | 24.7% |
| 2022 | 150 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 114 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 99 | 21.2% |
| 2025 | 95 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 1999 618
On a 1999 618, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.8% 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+.
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 618s pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 620 1999 Rover 618 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Rover 618?
Brakes, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.8%).
Does the 1999 618 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 30-60k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 620 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.