Rover 414 (1998)
1998 Rover 414
CarHunch analysed 13,354 real MOT records for the 1998 Rover 414. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Rover 414 passes its MOT first time in just 68.8% of cases—nearly 12 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—suggesting these cars are showing their age and reliability issues. With 13.1% having experienced dangerous defects at some point, buyers should factor in potential safety concerns alongside the below-average pass rate.
At a median mileage of 73,220 miles for a 26-year-old car, these are relatively well-used examples, yet they're averaging 2.23 failures per test, indicating mechanical wear is catching up with them. Budget for regular maintenance and thorough pre-purchase inspections, particularly around brakes, suspension, and emissions systems where older Rovers commonly struggle.
What to check before buying a 1998 Rover 414
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 414
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 13,343 | 68.8% | 2.23 |
| Diesel (0%) | 9 | 68.2% | 1.78 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 61.4% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Rover 414 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 1998 Rover 414 vehicles fall between 59,068 and 89,333 miles.
1998 Rover 414 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 50 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Rover 414
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
34.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
34.2%
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
-
33.5%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
31.9%
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
-
31.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
31.2%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
-
29.4%
Oil leak
-
26.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 414?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.