Rover 214 (1999)
1999 Rover 214
CarHunch analysed 20,566 real MOT records for the 1999 Rover 214. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Rover 214 stumbles at MOT with a 72.2% first-time pass rate, nearly 8 percentage points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that signals these cars are notably harder to keep roadworthy. The dangerous defect rate of 12.4% is moderate for a 25-year-old car, so while structural or safety failures aren't rampant, they're present enough to be a real buyer concern.
At 66,966 miles average, these cars have been well-used but not hammered, yet they're still racking up an average of 2.45 failures and 6.6 advisories per MOT—suggesting age and wear matter more than mileage alone. If you're considering one, budget for regular brake and suspension work, and always request a full MOT history to spot any repeat failures before you commit.
What to check before buying a 1999 Rover 214
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 214
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%) | 20,552 | 72.2% | 2.45 |
| Diesel (0%) | 13 | 77.3% | 1.92 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 75% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Rover 214 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 214 vehicles fall between 51,461 and 79,789 miles.
1999 Rover 214 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 156 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Rover 214
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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38.8%
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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35.1%
Oil leak
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30%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
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19.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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18.6%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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18.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 214?
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