Rover 418 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover 418 car check
Is the Rover 418 reliable? We analysed 44,803 real MOT tests across 9,538 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover 418? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover 418 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover 418.
Rover 418 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover 418. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover 418 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover 418 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover 418 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover 418 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover 418 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover 418 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover 418 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover 418 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 203 | 58.6% | 91,670 | 114,812 | 134,696 |
| 1996 | 5,754 | 63.1% | 97,993 | 121,269 | 149,147 |
| 1995 | 15,311 | 65.1% | 98,365 | 123,952 | 152,452 |
| 1994 | 14,845 | 63.9% | 103,520 | 128,060 | 154,215 |
| 1993 | 6,566 | 63.7% | 103,305 | 127,640 | 154,083 |
| 1992 | 1,510 | 62.7% | 108,944 | 133,116 | 159,340 |
| 1991 | 541 | 63.2% | 108,497 | 127,661 | 160,772 |
How Long Does a Rover 418 Last?
Based on 9,538 Rover 418 vehicles on UK roads.
Rover 418 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover 418 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 418
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
65.1% MOT pass rate from 15,311 tests
58.6% MOT pass rate from 203 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover 418 is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.1% across 15,311 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover 418 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover 418 THIS CAR | 64.1% | 44,803 | 125,852 mi | 34 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 |
| Kawasaki ZX-10R | 86.8% | 22,031 | 13,904 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover 418 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover 418 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 418Should you buy a used Rover 418?
The Rover 418 has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.1% across 44,803 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Rover 418 are constant velocity joint gaiter split (4,476 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,183), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3,072). 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 418 owner drives around 5,608 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 418 models stay on UK roads for around 34 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.