Rover P6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover P6 car check
Is the Rover P6 reliable? We analysed 2,365 real MOT tests across 250 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover P6? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover P6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover P6.
Rover P6 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover P6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover P6 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover P6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover P6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover P6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover P6 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover P6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover P6 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover P6 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 67 | 68.7% | 46,616 | 68,480 | 93,088 |
| 1976 | 67 | 77.6% | 43,978 | 52,448 | 71,162 |
| 1975 | 254 | 78.7% | 28,081 | 67,334 | 87,275 |
| 1974 | 314 | 77.1% | 39,024 | 53,556 | 71,640 |
| 1973 | 233 | 76.8% | 41,470 | 67,742 | 85,394 |
| 1972 | 503 | 78.7% | 23,223 | 53,307 | 71,556 |
| 1971 | 397 | 76.3% | 24,272 | 41,591 | 74,441 |
| 1970 | 211 | 82.0% | 33,887 | 59,182 | 76,762 |
| 1969 | 88 | 78.4% | 63,566 | 73,540 | 84,801 |
| 1968 | 68 | 76.5% | 21,914 | 26,799 | 70,421 |
| 1964 | 58 | 72.4% | 9,731 | 36,860 | 46,464 |
How Long Does a Rover P6 Last?
Based on 250 Rover P6 vehicles on UK roads.
Rover P6 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover P6 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 P6
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.0% MOT pass rate from 211 tests
68.7% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover P6 is 1970, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.0% across 211 tests. The 1977 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover P6 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover P6 THIS CAR | 77.8% | 2,365 | 53,849 mi | 62 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 |
| Kia Sportage 4 CRDI Isg MHEV S-a | 85.8% | 1,895 | 33,946 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover P6 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover P6 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 P6Should you buy a used Rover P6?
The Rover P6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.8% across 2,365 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Rover P6 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (123 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (114), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (77). 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 P6 owner drives around 531 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 P6 models stay on UK roads for around 62 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.