Rover 623 (1997)

716 real MOT outcomes analysed • 68.6% first-time pass rate

1997 Rover 623

CarHunch analysed 716 real MOT records for the 1997 Rover 623. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 11.4% below UK average
68.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
97,443
typical mileage
78,208–119,473 middle half
19.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.65
avg MOT failures per car
over 7.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1997 Rover 623

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 623

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%) 714 68.6% 2.65
Diesel (0%) 1 50% 1
LPG (0%) 1 33.3% 2

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Rover 623 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.

78,208
low mileage
97,443
typical
119,473
high mileage

Half of all 1997 Rover 623 vehicles fall between 78,208 and 119,473 miles.

1997 Rover 623 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (15% of peak).

117 17 2014 2023

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.

MOT History Averages

7.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.65
Avg failures per vehicle
7.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 Rover 623

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

  • 81.9%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 31.8%
    Oil leak
  • 29.3%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 26.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 23.4%
    Parking brake lever has no reserve travel
  • 23%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 20.4%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 19.7%
    Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Rover 623?

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

UK

Other model years — Rover 623:

1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1999