Rover 200 (1999)
1999 Rover 200
CarHunch analysed 3,513 real MOT records for the 1999 Rover 200. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Rover 200's first-time pass rate of 71.7% is noticeably weaker than the UK average of 80%, signalling that these cars are more likely to need work before MOT approval. With 15% of vehicles having experienced a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should factor in the cost of pre-purchase inspection and potential remedial work.
At an average mileage of 68,614 for a 25-year-old car, these Rovers have been moderately used, but the real concern is the 2.53 average failures per vehicle — these aren't minor niggles. Before committing to a purchase, have a trusted mechanic inspect the braking system, suspension and electrical components, as these consistently drag down the MOT performance of this generation.
What to check before buying a 1999 Rover 200
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 200
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 (99%) | 3,476 | 71.8% | 2.54 |
| Diesel (1%) | 36 | 63.9% | 2.17 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Rover 200 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.
Half of all 1999 Rover 200 vehicles fall between 51,689 and 82,217 miles.
1999 Rover 200 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 84 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Rover 200
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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37.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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30.5%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
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30.4%
Oil leak
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22.4%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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19%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.3%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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17.9%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 200?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.