Rover MG Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover MG car check
Is the Rover MG reliable? We analysed 1,266 real MOT tests across 110 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover MG? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover MG is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover MG.
Rover MG Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover MG. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover MG MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover MG to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover MG Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover MG fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover MG Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover MG owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover MG MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover MG year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 55 | 67.3% | 36,634 | 50,010 | 63,829 |
| 2001 | 54 | 64.8% | 44,328 | 52,562 | 64,395 |
| 2000 | 145 | 71.0% | 39,855 | 61,164 | 72,948 |
| 1998 | 134 | 61.9% | 40,860 | 51,222 | 78,682 |
| 1997 | 222 | 68.9% | 42,811 | 54,476 | 67,473 |
| 1996 | 166 | 73.5% | 44,153 | 60,441 | 91,871 |
| 1995 | 226 | 75.7% | 7,743 | 28,372 | 58,424 |
| 1994 | 108 | 88.9% | 8,129 | 11,860 | 14,996 |
How Long Does a Rover MG Last?
Based on 110 Rover MG vehicles on UK roads.
Rover MG Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover MG 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 MG
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.9% MOT pass rate from 108 tests
61.9% MOT pass rate from 134 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover MG is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.9% across 108 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover MG Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover MG THIS CAR | 71.6% | 1,266 | 50,282 mi | 32 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 |
| Hyundai Amica Si | 68.4% | 586 | 58,123 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover MG sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover MG 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 MGShould you buy a used Rover MG?
The Rover MG has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.6% across 1,266 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Rover MG are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (70 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (60), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (42). 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 MG owner drives around 1,284 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 MG models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.