Rover 800 (1998)

181 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.4% first-time pass rate

1998 Rover 800

CarHunch analysed 181 real MOT records for the 1998 Rover 800. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 14.6% below UK average
65.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
92,552
typical mileage
70,118–109,999 middle half
21%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.97
avg MOT failures per car
over 5.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Rover 800

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.
  • ⚠️ 21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 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 800

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 (97%) 176 65.8% 1.97
Diesel (3%) 5 52% 1.8

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Rover 800 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.

70,118
low mileage
92,552
typical
109,999
high mileage

Half of all 1998 Rover 800 vehicles fall between 70,118 and 109,999 miles.

MOT History Averages

5.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.97
Avg failures per vehicle
6.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Rover 800

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

  • 66.2%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 37.7%
    Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
  • 31.1%
    Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
  • 30.3%
    Oil leak
  • 27.2%
    Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault
  • 21.5%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 21.1%
    Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.
  • 19.3%
    Nearside Front 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 800?

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

UK

Other model years — Rover 800:

1995 1996 1997