Rover 420 (1997)
1997 Rover 420
CarHunch analysed 16,335 real MOT records for the 1997 Rover 420. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 Rover 420 passes its MOT on the first attempt just 64.5% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in five of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—both serious red flags for potential buyers. Petrol and diesel versions perform almost identically (65.1% vs 64.1% pass rates), so fuel type won't help you find a better example.
These 420s are averaging over 105,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up 2.28 failures per MOT attempt and 6.5 advisories—signs of widespread wear and ageing components. Before you commit to one, have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and exhaust system specifically, since those areas consistently trip up this model.
What to check before buying a 1997 Rover 420
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 420
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (58%) | 9,481 | 64.1% | 2.39 |
| Petrol (42%) | 6,847 | 65.1% | 2.12 |
| LPG (0%) | 6 | 64.5% | 2.5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 75% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Rover 420 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 1997 Rover 420 vehicles fall between 95,598 and 135,993 miles.
1997 Rover 420 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 39 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% 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 — 1997 Rover 420
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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54.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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41.2%
Oil leak
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26.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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22.3%
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine
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21.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.5%
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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19.9%
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 420?
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