Rover 114 (1997)

7,541 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.3% first-time pass rate

1997 Rover 114

CarHunch analysed 7,541 real MOT records for the 1997 Rover 114. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 14.7% below UK average
65.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
52,048
typical mileage
39,853–65,433 middle half
14.9%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.92
avg MOT failures per car
over 5.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1997 Rover 114

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Rover 114

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 7,537 65.3% 1.92
Diesel (0%) 4 91.7% 0.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Rover 114 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

39,853
low mileage
52,048
typical
65,433
high mileage

Half of all 1997 Rover 114 vehicles fall between 39,853 and 65,433 miles.

1997 Rover 114 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 57 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% of peak).

371 57 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

5.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.92
Avg failures per vehicle
4.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 Rover 114

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 35.9%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 20.3%
    Service brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 19.2%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 17.8%
    Offside Rear fog lamp not working
  • 17.6%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 17.4%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14%
    Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 12.6%
    Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Rover 114?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Rover 114:

1995 1996 1998