Rover 216 (1995)

6,492 real MOT outcomes analysed • 68% first-time pass rate

1995 Rover 216

CarHunch analysed 6,492 real MOT records for the 1995 Rover 216. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1995 Rover 216 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 68%, which is 12 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, signalling reliability concerns for a car now nearly 30 years old. While dangerous defects affect only 11.5% of these vehicles—not dramatically high—the median pass rate tells you these cars require genuine attention to stay roadworthy.

With a median mileage of 93,815 miles for their age, these 216s are moderately worn, and they're averaging 2.32 failures and 6.4 advisories per test, which suggests rust, wear items, and cumulative neglect are the norm rather than the exception. If you're considering one, budget for immediate remedial work post-purchase and factor in a higher-than-average maintenance cost over the next few years.

Below average reliability 12% below UK average
68%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
93,815
typical mileage
74,646–113,096 middle half
11.5%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.32
avg MOT failures per car
over 6.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1995 Rover 216

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 216

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%) 6,489 68% 2.32
Diesel (0%) 3 72.4% 1.67

Mileage Distribution

Most 1995 Rover 216 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.

74,646
low mileage
93,815
typical
113,096
high mileage

Half of all 1995 Rover 216 vehicles fall between 74,646 and 113,096 miles.

1995 Rover 216 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 104 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).

746 104 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

6.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.32
Avg failures per vehicle
6.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1995 Rover 216

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

  • 35.7%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 30.4%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 29.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 22.7%
    Oil leak
  • 21.1%
    Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
  • 18.4%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive
  • 17.9%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 16.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1995. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Rover 216?

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

UK

Other model years — Rover 216:

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000