MOT failures by make

Rover MOT faults: which failures are more common than on similar cars

Across 65,602 MOT tests of Rover cars in 2023–2024, 4 of the make's most common failure items stand out against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, led by “Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” at 2.10× the comparable rate. Overall Rovers passed 64.0% of tests and failed 1.08× as often as comparable cars.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

Rover MOT tests: 65,602; 38,021 cars, 2023–2024
Initial pass rate: 64.0%; DVSA results, retests excluded
Faults that stand out: 4; passed the make × item gate

Failures more common on Rovers than on similar cars

Each links to the model-by-model and age breakdown for Rover.

Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · 2.10× · 1.71% of tests
SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault · 2.05× · 1.62% of tests
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength · 1.66× · 4.48% of tests
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn · 1.53× · 1.70% of tests

Rover’s most common MOT failure items

Ranked by how many Rover tests failed on each item. The last column compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = the same rate).

Rover: most common MOT failure items with observed ÷ expected
Defect item	Rank	Tests failing	Share	vs similar cars
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	#1	2,940	4.48%	1.66×
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	#2	2,105	3.21%	1.47×
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements	#3	1,881	2.87%	1.44×
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	#4	1,667	2.54%	0.91×
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	#5	1,498	2.28%	1.09×
Position lamp: not working	#6	1,450	2.21%	0.70×
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases	#7	1,429	2.18%	1.30×
Service brake imbalance: across an axle	#8	1,385	2.11%	1.45×
Stop lamp: not working	#9	1,372	2.09%	0.83×
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid	#10	1,168	1.78%	1.00×
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	#11	1,151	1.75%	1.26×
Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn	#12	1,149	1.75%	1.37×
Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	#13	1,120	1.71%	2.10×
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn	#14	1,115	1.70%	1.53×
SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault	#15	1,063	1.62%	2.05×

Only the 150 most common national MOT failure items are compared; a rank counts every failure item recorded on the make.

How to use this

The list shows what a Rover is more likely than other cars to fail on, which is where to look on a pre-MOT check or a used-car inspection. The model pages break the same data down further — see Rover MOT pass rates by model.

Limitations

Official data: DVSA anonymised MOT results (2023–2024). 73 Auto analysis: expected failures apply the national rate of each item for the test's age, mileage band and fuel. MOT results reflect maintenance and use as well as design; they do not rank makes by reliability.

Check a Rover’s MOT history before you buy

Enter a registration to see which of these faults that particular car has failed or been advised on, and what it costs to run. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.