Rover Vitesse Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover Vitesse car check
Is the Rover Vitesse reliable? We analysed 2,151 real MOT tests across 517 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover Vitesse? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover Vitesse is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, constant velocity joint gaiter split and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover Vitesse.
Rover Vitesse Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover Vitesse. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover Vitesse MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover Vitesse to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover Vitesse Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover Vitesse fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover Vitesse Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover Vitesse owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover Vitesse MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover Vitesse year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 134 | 64.2% | 80,108 | 96,362 | 111,466 |
| 1996 | 262 | 63.4% | 82,193 | 98,389 | 118,759 |
| 1995 | 218 | 59.6% | 90,582 | 109,494 | 129,172 |
| 1994 | 391 | 60.1% | 74,784 | 99,144 | 122,904 |
| 1993 | 434 | 62.9% | 89,988 | 118,419 | 135,514 |
| 1992 | 143 | 65.7% | 94,478 | 110,758 | 138,138 |
| 1991 | 112 | 65.2% | 121,324 | 153,975 | 187,901 |
| 1990 | 122 | 63.9% | 106,195 | 124,289 | 136,998 |
| 1989 | 133 | 72.9% | 113,325 | 123,986 | 148,493 |
| 1985 | 55 | 58.2% | 91,920 | 112,290 | 157,503 |
How Long Does a Rover Vitesse Last?
Based on 517 Rover Vitesse vehicles on UK roads.
Rover Vitesse Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover Vitesse 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 Vitesse
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
72.9% MOT pass rate from 133 tests
58.2% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover Vitesse is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.9% across 133 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover Vitesse Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover Vitesse THIS CAR | 63.8% | 2,151 | 108,753 mi | 41 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 |
| BMW R75/5 | 90.8% | 1,001 | 36,256 mi | 55 yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover Vitesse trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover Vitesse 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 VitesseShould you buy a used Rover Vitesse?
The Rover Vitesse has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.8% across 2,151 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Rover Vitesse are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (215 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (132), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (120). 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 Vitesse owner drives around 3,031 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 Vitesse models stay on UK roads for around 41 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.