CarVerify

Free Car Check

N946 XAO

1996 Rover Mini

Green Petrol 1275cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 May 2027
Tests28 (14 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

40,132 mi
Last recorded40,132 miles
Recorded on12 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Rover Mini50,437 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationN946 XAO
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,275cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

14 pass 14 fail
Pass 12 May 2026 40,132 miles

Nearside Rear Rubber fuel pipe crackiing

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 12 May 2026 40,132 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Rubber fuel pipe crackiing

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii))

Pass 23 May 2025 39,762 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 23 May 2025 39,762 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 21 May 2024 38,715 miles
Fail 16 May 2024 38,714 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm insecurely attached tie rod (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder inadequately mounted (1.1.16 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 4 Jul 2019 37,948 miles
Fail 2 Jul 2019 37,944 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Jun 2016 37,627 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt bottom (2.4.G.2)

various areas has corrosion but not holed

Fail 25 Jun 2016 37,627 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt bottom (2.4.G.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

various areas has corrosion but not holed

Fail 9 Jun 2016 37,627 miles

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded both inner arches (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

various areas have slight corrosion

Pass 14 Oct 2014 37,087 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 13 Oct 2014 37,087 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 22 Oct 2013 36,813 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2013 36,782 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 21 Sep 2012 36,310 miles

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 28 Aug 2012 36,310 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 21 Sep 2011 34,645 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2011 34,645 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 1 Jun 2010 34,276 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

n/s/r light unit broken

Fail 1 Jun 2010 34,276 miles

Offside Front Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

n/s/r light unit broken

Pass 3 Jun 2009 33,175 miles

Front Tie bar/rod rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

slight play in steering rack/ under body corrosion/ front panel corroded/ slight damage to exhaust front pipe/flexie/

Fail 29 May 2009 33,175 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Rear Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Front Tie bar/rod rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

slight play in steering rack/ under body corrosion/ front panel corroded/ slight damage to exhaust front pipe/flexie/

Pass 5 Jun 2008 29,809 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2008 29,802 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 1 Jun 2007 27,531 miles
Fail 31 May 2007 27,531 miles

Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Rear Rear fog lamp flickers when tapped lightly by hand (1.1.6d)

under body corrosion †play in both front ball joints †slight movement in both front seats

Pass 13 May 2006 25,275 miles

How Reliable is the Rover Mini?

Based on 519,169 MOT tests across 45,631 vehicles.

66.8%
Pass Rate
876
Miles/Year
47
Year Lifespan
45,631
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 32,036
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 24,016
Steering rack gaiter split 21,375
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 18,460
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 18,348
Full Rover Mini reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

N946 XAO is a 1996 Rover Mini in Green with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

Across all 1996 Rover Mini models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.1% with a typical mileage of 50,437 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Rover Mini fails its MOT is subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 32,036 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N946 XAO, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Rover Mini typically stays on UK roads for around 47 years. At 30 years old, this Rover Mini is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N946 XAO?

You can check the full history of N946 XAO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N946 XAO registered?

N946 XAO is a 1996 Rover Mini, first registered on 24 May 1996.

Is N946 XAO safe to buy?

The MOT history for N946 XAO shows 28 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N946 XAO have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on N946 XAO. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.