Rover 216I Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover 216I car check
Is the Rover 216I reliable? We analysed 62,165 real MOT tests across 13,388 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover 216I? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover 216I is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover 216I.
Rover 216I Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover 216I. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover 216I MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover 216I to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover 216I Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover 216I fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover 216I Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover 216I owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover 216I MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover 216I year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3,281 | 68.5% | 43,484 | 58,398 | 75,094 |
| 1999 | 11,328 | 70.2% | 46,670 | 61,442 | 78,356 |
| 1998 | 6,310 | 68.2% | 55,357 | 71,303 | 87,823 |
| 1997 | 9,589 | 66.1% | 62,717 | 78,372 | 95,765 |
| 1996 | 10,564 | 63.1% | 66,982 | 82,960 | 99,716 |
| 1995 | 4,235 | 64.3% | 73,258 | 92,230 | 112,805 |
| 1994 | 4,642 | 63.2% | 75,034 | 94,162 | 116,399 |
| 1993 | 4,118 | 62.2% | 80,376 | 99,332 | 119,625 |
| 1992 | 3,055 | 61.4% | 81,164 | 102,940 | 123,862 |
| 1991 | 2,343 | 62.5% | 88,226 | 112,207 | 135,636 |
| 1990 | 1,274 | 62.8% | 84,626 | 110,244 | 134,407 |
| 1989 | 590 | 64.9% | 53,318 | 69,364 | 95,023 |
| 1988 | 284 | 68.0% | 31,240 | 49,587 | 74,959 |
| 1987 | 205 | 58.0% | 43,656 | 55,810 | 72,972 |
| 1986 | 140 | 72.9% | 14,377 | 46,794 | 75,702 |
| 1985 | 158 | 77.8% | 33,132 | 68,910 | 102,964 |
How Long Does a Rover 216I Last?
Based on 13,388 Rover 216I vehicles on UK roads.
Rover 216I Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover 216I MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Rover 216I
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.8% MOT pass rate from 158 tests
58.0% MOT pass rate from 205 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover 216I is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.8% across 158 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover 216I Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover 216I THIS CAR | 65.7% | 62,165 | 79,704 mi | 37 yrs |
| Rover 25 | 72.1% | 1,784,341 | 53,712 mi | 26 yrs |
| Rover 75 | 70.7% | 1,365,354 | 77,595 mi | 27 yrs |
| Rover 214 | 67.6% | 1,033,973 | 75,438 mi | 36 yrs |
| Abarth 500 | 76.7% | 88,456 | 47,942 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover 216I trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover 216I you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Rover 216IShould you buy a used Rover 216I?
The Rover 216I has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.7% across 62,165 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Rover 216I are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,986 recorded failures), exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (2,688), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (2,665). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Rover 216I owner drives around 5,636 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Rover 216I models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.