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R281 JJW

1997 Rover Mini

Multi-colour Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires31 Jul 2026
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

97,199 mi
Last recorded97,199 miles
Recorded on15 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 Rover Mini51,557 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR281 JJW
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 11 fail
Pass 15 Jul 2025 97,199 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2024 96,983 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2023 96,845 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2023 96,831 miles

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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak Hole in back box (8.2.2.1 (b))

Pass 28 Jul 2022 96,413 miles
Pass 13 Jul 2021 96,176 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2017 93,472 miles

both front constant velocity joint gaiters cracking

both front floor pan areas corroding

front brake pads getting low

rear sub-frame corroding

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing

slight play in offside front suspension

Pass 11 Mar 2016 90,179 miles

general condition of vehicle underbody has light corrosion

nearside rear fuel pipes (to filter) corroding

Fail 10 Mar 2016 90,179 miles

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)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

general condition of vehicle underbody has light corrosion

nearside rear fuel pipes (to filter) corroding

Pass 9 Apr 2015 86,686 miles

general condition of vehicle body corrosive

nearside parking brake effort poor

rear subframe corroding

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing

Fail 28 Mar 2015 86,615 miles

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

general condition of vehicle body corrosive

nearside parking brake effort poor

rear subframe corroding

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing

Pass 8 Apr 2014 84,810 miles

slight play in n/s/r trailing arm bushs

Fail 2 Apr 2014 84,810 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

slight play in n/s/r trailing arm bushs

Pass 4 Apr 2013 80,110 miles

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

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

Oil leak

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

n/s/f skuttlem panel under windscreen very rusty

n/s/r quater panel showing signs of corrosion at subframe mounting

n/s/r radius arm bearings have slight play

rear subframe rusty

Fail 28 Mar 2013 80,109 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

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

n/s/f skuttlem panel under windscreen very rusty

n/s/r quater panel showing signs of corrosion at subframe mounting

n/s/r radius arm bearings have slight play

rear subframe rusty

spare tyre illegal

Pass 21 Mar 2012 72,781 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

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

front discs are pitted and poor condition

front exhaust flexy

Fail 29 Feb 2012 72,781 miles

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)

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

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

front disc are pitted and in poor condition

front exhaust flexy

Pass 24 Feb 2011 68,388 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

oil leak

Fail 21 Jan 2011 68,381 miles

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)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Oil leak

Pass 22 Jan 2010 67,431 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2010 67,123 miles
Pass 22 Jan 2009 67,267 miles

smoke from exhaust border line

Fail 17 Jan 2009 67,216 miles

Driver's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

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

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

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.3)

slight play n/s/f wheel bearing

Pass 15 Dec 2007 65,373 miles
Pass 15 Jan 2007 63,648 miles

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

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

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

slight movment steerig rack mountings

Fail 15 Jan 2007 63,648 miles

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

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

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

slight movment steerig rack mountings

Pass 20 Feb 2006 61,856 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2006 61,831 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Feb 2006 61,712 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.6.D2)

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

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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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R281 JJW 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 62.1%.

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 R281 JJW, 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 R281 JJW?

You can check the full history of R281 JJW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R281 JJW registered?

R281 JJW is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 3 September 1997.

Is R281 JJW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R281 JJW shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R281 JJW 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 R281 JJW. 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.