Rover 623 (1998)
1998 Rover 623
CarHunch analysed 622 real MOT records for the 1998 Rover 623.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 1998 Rover 623 is a below-average performer in MOT terms, with a first-time pass rate of 68% compared to the UK average of 80%—and one in four of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine safety concern for buyers. This is an older car that's now 26 years on the road, so some wear is inevitable.
At nearly 100,000 miles on average, these vehicles have covered typical mileage for their age, but the real problem is consistency: the average car has nearly 3 failures and 8.5 advisories per test, indicating that mechanical issues are the norm rather than the exception. If you're seriously considering one, budget for repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems that fail most often—you'll want to know exactly what you're inheriting before you buy.
The 1998 Rover 623 has a below-average first-time pass rate (68% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.
These stats describe 622 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 622 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 622 Rover 623 cars.
Before you buy a 1998 Rover 623
Based on MOT data from 622 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
25.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 619 | 68% | 2.9 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 5,468 Rover 623 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Rover 623 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Rover 623 vehicles fall between 75,868 and 118,820 miles.
1998 Rover 623 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 10% of 1998 Rover 623s are still active.
Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (10% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 1998 Rover 623 stacks up against a rival.