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R196 HBR

1997 Rover Mini

Multi-colour Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jun 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

34,980 mi
Last recorded34,980 miles
Recorded on15 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Rover Mini51,557 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR196 HBR
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1997
ColourMulti-colour
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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 15 Jun 2026 34,980 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 8 Jun 2026 34,953 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Floor pan (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 9 Jun 2025 34,873 miles
Fail 21 May 2025 34,851 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 15 May 2024 34,761 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 15 May 2023 34,710 miles

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

Pass 25 May 2022 34,654 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2021 34,555 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 20 May 2021 34,550 miles

Emissions not tested engine missfire (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect seized (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Sep 2018 34,511 miles
Pass 12 Sep 2017 34,394 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front brake disc corroded on inner face

Nearside Front outer sill holed and corroded

Nearside Front seat has movement up and down

Nearside Rear radius arm starting to stiff

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

corrosion to underside of vehicle

Fail 8 Sep 2017 34,394 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front brake disc corroded on inner face

Nearside Front outer sill holed and corroded

Nearside Front seat has movement up and down

Nearside Rear radius arm starting to stiff

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

corrosion to underside of vehicle

Pass 21 Sep 2016 34,286 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2016 34,286 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Sep 2015 34,201 miles

Engine covers fitted

Nearside Front Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Offside Front Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Under trays fitted

fog lamp / spot lamp wiring requires attention

Pass 12 Sep 2014 33,774 miles

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

front tyres cracking on walls

Fail 12 Sep 2014 33,771 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear Radius arm attachment bracket/mounting worn and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

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

front tyres cracking on walls

Pass 25 Sep 2013 33,186 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Sep 2012 32,372 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2012 32,372 miles

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

Pass 27 Sep 2011 34,535 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2010 30,557 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2010 30,556 miles

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

Pass 16 Sep 2009 29,307 miles
Pass 15 Sep 2008 27,730 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2008 27,729 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 10 Sep 2007 25,945 miles

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

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

Offside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 21 Sep 2006 24,186 miles

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

Pass 2 Sep 2005 22,342 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

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R196 HBR is a 1997 Rover Mini in Multi-colour with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R196 HBR, 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 R196 HBR?

You can check the full history of R196 HBR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R196 HBR registered?

R196 HBR is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 24 October 1997.

Is R196 HBR safe to buy?

The MOT history for R196 HBR shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R196 HBR 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 R196 HBR. 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.