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R121 JFA

1997 Rover Mini

Green Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Jul 2027
Tests25 (11 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate44%

Mileage

80,350 mi
Last recorded80,350 miles
Recorded on30 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Rover Mini51,557 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR121 JFA
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1997
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

11 pass 14 fail
Pass 30 Jul 2026 80,350 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2026 80,350 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested vehicle starting to smoke from underneath (1.2.1 (g))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Fail 21 Jul 2026 80,343 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested vehicle starting to smoke from underneath (1.2.1 (g))

Emissions unable to be completed vehicle starting to smoke from underneath during emissions testing (8.2.1.2 (d))

Pass 24 Jul 2025 80,268 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 23 Jul 2025 80,263 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 3 May 2023 80,189 miles
Fail 3 May 2023 80,189 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Fail 5 May 2022 80,150 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 20 Apr 2021 79,813 miles

advise play in ball joints heavley undersealed

Fail 20 Apr 2021 79,813 miles

Front Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

advise play in ball joints heavley undersealed

Pass 2 Jul 2013 79,763 miles

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 8 Jun 2013 79,759 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Brake pivot has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pivot has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

n/s outer sill drain holes corroded inner sill good condition

o/ outer sill drain hole corroded (inner sill good condition)

Fail 15 Nov 2012 79,749 miles

Brake cable has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable has a seized clevis joint pivot (3.5.1c)

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

Offside Rear Brake cable has a seized clevis joint pivot (3.5.1c)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

*Near side front tie rod bush split*.*Near side front suspension cone lower joint cover deteriorated*.*Rear exhaust mounting worn*.*Rear Tyres treads cracked*.

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Offside Rear rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 20 Oct 2011 79,290 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

wiper blades starting to split

Fail 14 Oct 2011 79,280 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

wiper blades starting to split

Fail 25 May 2011 79,269 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

wiperblades starting to split

Pass 1 May 2010 72,328 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

miner oil leak

Fail 30 Apr 2010 72,328 miles

Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

miner oil leak

nearside rear wheel binding slightly

Fail 22 Nov 2008 141,916 miles

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

Pass 22 Nov 2008 141,916 miles
Pass 21 Dec 2007 65,633 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2007 65,696 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 9 Oct 2006 59,587 miles

Offside Front Tie bar/rod slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Pass 12 Oct 2005 54,163 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2005 54,163 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (hotspot upper edge above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.D1)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (hotspot upper edge above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.D1)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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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.

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R121 JFA is a 1997 Rover Mini in Green with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 44%.

Across all 1997 Rover Mini models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.4% with a typical mileage of 51,557 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 R121 JFA, 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 29 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 R121 JFA?

You can check the full history of R121 JFA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R121 JFA registered?

R121 JFA is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R121 JFA safe to buy?

The MOT history for R121 JFA shows 25 tests with a 44% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R121 JFA 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 R121 JFA. 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.