Rover Montego Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover Montego car check
Is the Rover Montego reliable? We analysed 15,359 real MOT tests across 3,882 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover Montego? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover Montego is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover Montego.
Rover Montego Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover Montego. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover Montego MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover Montego to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover Montego Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover Montego fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover Montego Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover Montego owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover Montego MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover Montego year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 402 | 60.7% | 72,118 | 86,534 | 104,785 |
| 1994 | 6,255 | 65.4% | 90,796 | 117,082 | 146,642 |
| 1993 | 2,906 | 64.1% | 84,795 | 113,288 | 142,135 |
| 1992 | 1,662 | 64.8% | 68,906 | 100,692 | 136,481 |
| 1991 | 1,588 | 63.9% | 56,520 | 84,516 | 116,293 |
| 1990 | 1,690 | 63.9% | 56,222 | 79,838 | 102,137 |
| 1989 | 484 | 65.3% | 54,384 | 68,494 | 102,022 |
| 1988 | 88 | 71.6% | 50,270 | 73,468 | 102,726 |
| 1987 | 50 | 60.0% | 46,820 | 52,665 | 65,746 |
| 1986 | 103 | 75.7% | 47,042 | 65,325 | 100,120 |
How Long Does a Rover Montego Last?
Based on 3,882 Rover Montego vehicles on UK roads.
Rover Montego Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover Montego 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 Montego
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
75.7% MOT pass rate from 103 tests
60.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover Montego is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.7% across 103 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover Montego Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover Montego THIS CAR | 64.8% | 15,359 | 103,824 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 |
| Ford Dorchester | 73.7% | 10,955 | 60,878 mi | 44 yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover Montego trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover Montego 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 MontegoShould you buy a used Rover Montego?
The Rover Montego has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.8% across 15,359 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Rover Montego are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,787 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,469), and brake pipe excessively corroded (1,015). 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 Montego owner drives around 3,142 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 Montego 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.