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Rover 420 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Rover 420. Check any 420 by registration number below.

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64.2%

Avg Pass Rate

-10.1%

vs Rover Avg

5

Year Ranges

Below Average

Reliability

Rover 420 — MOT Reliability Overview

The Rover 420 has an average MOT pass rate of 64.2%, which is 10.1 percentage points below the Rover brand average of 74.3%. This suggests the 420 can be more maintenance-intensive than average. Pay close attention to the common failure points listed below if you are considering buying one.

The most common reasons a Rover 420 fails its MOT are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. If you are preparing your 420 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Rover 420, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Rover 420 performs at MOT across different model years.

1999

Based on 101 vehicles

62.4%Below Average
Rover average: 74.3%
Dangerous Defects

7.0%

Retest Rate

28.2%

1998

Based on 64 vehicles

51.6%Below Average
Rover average: 74.3%
Dangerous Defects

7.0%

Retest Rate

41.9%

1997

Based on 85 vehicles

68.2%Average
Rover average: 74.3%
Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

27.6%

1996

Based on 74 vehicles

67.6%Average
Rover average: 74.3%
Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

33.3%

0

Based on 164 vehicles

71.3%Average
Rover average: 74.3%
Mileage at 5yr

83k mi

Top MOT Failures — Rover 420

The most common reasons a Rover 420 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

1

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

10.9%
Rover 420 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Rear Offside

11.9%

Rear Nearside

11.9%

Front Nearside

9.9%

Other Rover Models

Compare MOT reliability across Rover models.

Rover 25

67.2% pass rate

Rover Metro

68.7% pass rate

Rover 623

52.1% pass rate

Rover 418

82.9% pass rate

Rover 620

55.0% pass rate

Rover 75

63.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Rover 420

Rover 420 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Rover 420 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Rover 420?
The average MOT pass rate for the Rover 420 is 64.2% compared to the Rover average of 74.3%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.
What are the most common MOT failures on a Rover 420?
The most common MOT failures on the Rover 420 are: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (10.9%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.
Is the Rover 420 reliable?
With an average MOT pass rate of 64.2%, the Rover 420 is rated as "Below Average" for reliability. This is around average — regular maintenance is recommended to avoid common failure points.
How do I check the MOT history of a Rover 420?
Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.
What mileage should I expect on a Rover 420?
Typical mileage for the Rover 420: 83,357 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 420 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Rover 420's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.

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