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R205 GDS

1997 Rover Mini

Multi-colour Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Jun 2027
Tests24 (18 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

28,169 mi
Last recorded28,169 miles
Recorded on2 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR205 GDS
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

18 pass 6 fail
Pass 2 Jun 2026 28,169 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2025 26,110 miles
Pass 30 May 2024 23,290 miles
Pass 30 May 2023 21,312 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2022 20,086 miles
Pass 13 May 2021 17,718 miles
Pass 1 Nov 2018 14,571 miles

fuel lines / fuel filter corroded but not to excess

Pass 14 Nov 2017 10,246 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened pitted but serviceable (3.5.1i)

Pass 22 Sep 2016 5,447 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2015 99,115 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2014 94,544 miles

Both front suspension knuckle joint dust covers deteriorated.

Fail 28 Aug 2014 94,543 miles

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Both front suspension knuckle joint dust covers deteriorated.

Pass 27 Sep 2013 89,420 miles

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 18 Sep 2013 89,410 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 29 Sep 2012 79,243 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2012 79,239 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)

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

off side front bottom ball joint rubber cover split near side front bottom ball joint rubber split both not the sealed type

Pass 27 Jul 2011 12,347 miles
Pass 1 Apr 2010 67,967 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2008 62,618 miles
Fail 25 Mar 2008 62,618 miles

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Pass 2 Mar 2007 56,991 miles

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

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 2 Mar 2006 55,439 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2006 55,438 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

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

Outer Rear Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 31 Oct 2005 55,435 miles

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

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

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

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

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Offside Front Side repeater incomplete (1.5.A1b)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Rear Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

All rear brake pipes heavily corroded.

Both rear handbrake cables rusty.

Play in n/s/f lower ball joint.

Play in o/s/f top and bottom ball joints.

Rear sub-frame heavily rusted.

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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R205 GDS is a 1997 Rover Mini in Multi-colour with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 R205 GDS, 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 R205 GDS?

You can check the full history of R205 GDS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R205 GDS registered?

R205 GDS is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 24 December 1997.

Is R205 GDS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R205 GDS shows 24 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R205 GDS 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 R205 GDS. 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.