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R161 TAO

1998 Rover Mini

Orange Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 Feb 2026
Tests12 (8 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

65,053 mi
Last recorded65,053 miles
Recorded on20 Feb 2025
Typical for 1998 Rover Mini49,150 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR161 TAO
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1998
ColourOrange
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

8 pass 4 fail
Pass 20 Feb 2025 65,053 miles

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

Pass 7 Nov 2019 54,813 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 28 Nov 2018 54,449 miles

Nearside Front Body not fully secure Quarter panel (6.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Mar 2010 47,162 miles

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

Fail 26 Feb 2010 47,162 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

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

Pass 19 Feb 2009 39,938 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Feb 2009 39,938 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Fail 20 Feb 2008 33,774 miles

Centre Front Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

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

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

Pass 20 Feb 2008 33,774 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2007 30,829 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 13 Feb 2006 27,909 miles
Fail 13 Feb 2006 27,909 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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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R161 TAO is a 1998 Rover Mini in Orange with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 12 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1998 Rover Mini models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.0% with a typical mileage of 49,150 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 R161 TAO, 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 28 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 R161 TAO?

You can check the full history of R161 TAO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R161 TAO registered?

R161 TAO is a 1998 Rover Mini, first registered on 13 March 1998.

Is R161 TAO safe to buy?

The MOT history for R161 TAO shows 12 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R161 TAO 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 R161 TAO. 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.