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R281 MNR

1997 Rover Mini

Red Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Sep 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

44,676 mi
Last recorded44,676 miles
Recorded on28 Aug 2025
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

RegistrationR281 MNR
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1997
ColourRed
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 28 Aug 2025 44,676 miles

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Pass 17 Sep 2024 44,317 miles

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 20 Sep 2023 43,858 miles

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 8 Sep 2022 43,611 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2022 43,611 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases catalytic convertor joint to rear section (6.1.2 (a))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 22 Sep 2021 43,338 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor/inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive floor/inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Aug 2020 43,204 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2019 42,903 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2019 42,903 miles

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Jul 2018 42,595 miles

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 13 Jul 2017 41,819 miles

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

Fail 13 Jul 2017 41,819 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Jul 2016 40,510 miles

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

Fail 5 Jul 2016 40,510 miles

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jun 2015 39,610 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2014 39,088 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2013 38,851 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2013 38,851 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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)

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2010 37,287 miles

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

all of the above items meet the M O T requirements at time of test but will require attention in the near future

play in neaarside front upper balljoint acceptable at time of test

surface corrosion front to rear brake pipe

Fail 11 Oct 2010 37,248 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

all of the above items meet the M O T requirements at time of test but will require attention in the near future

play in neaarside front upper balljoint acceptable at time of test

surface corrosion front to rear brake pipe

Pass 7 Oct 2009 30,169 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2009 30,165 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 10 Oct 2008 29,159 miles

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

Fail 9 Oct 2008 29,144 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Dec 2005 27,509 miles
Fail 21 Dec 2005 27,509 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

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 MNR is a 1997 Rover Mini in Red with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 MNR, 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 MNR?

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

What year was R281 MNR registered?

R281 MNR is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 7 November 1997.

Is R281 MNR safe to buy?

The MOT history for R281 MNR shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R281 MNR 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 MNR. 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.