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Rover Allegro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Rover Allegro reliable? We analysed 1,273 real MOT tests across 222 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,273 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.5%
Typical Mileage
47,497mi
Annual Mileage
363mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
52yrs

The Rover Allegro is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover Allegro.

Rover Allegro Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Rover Allegro. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Rover Allegro MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Rover Allegro to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

67.2%
1982
73.3%
1981
72.6%
1980
66.2%
1979
71.8%
1978
72.3%
1977
68.6%
1976
71.9%
1975
77.4%
1974

Rover Allegro Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Rover Allegro fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

brake binding 70
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 69
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 59
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 46
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 43
Headlamp aim too low 41
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 38
brake recording little or no effort 36
Stop lamp not working 27
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 27

Rover Allegro Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Rover Allegro owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
106 mi/yr
Typical
363 mi/yr
Average
776 mi/yr
Heavy usage
904 mi/yr

Rover Allegro MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover Allegro year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1982 58 67.2% 50,570 58,138 74,434
1981 86 73.3% 46,073 61,888 69,139
1980 157 72.6% 33,172 55,221 71,450
1979 275 66.2% 26,203 36,680 59,948
1978 284 71.8% 28,318 46,871 73,798
1977 112 72.3% 27,582 36,464 58,821
1976 121 68.6% 25,671 49,002 74,894
1975 89 71.9% 32,969 50,951 58,863
1974 53 77.4% 41,100 45,699 56,401

How Long Does a Rover Allegro Last?

Based on 222 Rover Allegro vehicles on UK roads.

Average
37.5 years
Median
39.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
52 years

Rover Allegro Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Rover Allegro MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
47,497 mi
75th Percentile
64,110 mi
95th Percentile
89,297 mi
Max Recorded
321,480 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Rover Allegro

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1974

77.4% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

Year to avoid
1979

66.2% MOT pass rate from 275 tests

The best year to buy a used Rover Allegro is 1974, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.4% across 53 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Rover Allegro Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Rover Allegro THIS CAR 70.5% 1,273 47,497 mi 52 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
Ducati 1199 Panigale Abs 90.4% 1,825 7,759 mi 14 yrs

Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover Allegro trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Rover Allegro?

The Rover Allegro has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.5% across 1,273 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Rover Allegro are brake binding (70 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (69), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (59). 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 Allegro owner drives around 363 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 Allegro models stay on UK roads for around 52 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.

Rover Allegro — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Rover Allegro reliable?
Based on 1,273 MOT tests, the Rover Allegro has a 70.5% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Rover Allegro?
The most common MOT failures are brake binding, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Rover Allegro do per year?
The typical Rover Allegro does around 363 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Rover Allegro last?
Most Rover Allegro models stay on UK roads for around 52 years based on our analysis of 222 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Rover Allegro?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Rover Allegro?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Rover Allegro is 1974 with a 77.4% pass rate across 53 tests.