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R402 MGJ

1997 Rover 216

Black Petrol 1589cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Feb 2026
Tests18 (12 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

131,770 mi
Last recorded131,770 miles
Recorded on3 Feb 2025
Typical for 1997 Rover 21670,385 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR402 MGJ
MakeRover
Model216
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,589cc

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

12 pass 6 fail
Pass 3 Feb 2025 131,770 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 20 Jan 2024 128,524 miles

Nearside Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 13 Jan 2024 128,502 miles

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

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

Pass 15 Jun 2019 125,354 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Nearside and offside outer sills (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair Both foot brake and hand brake (1.2.1 (c))

Fail 15 Jun 2019 125,354 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Nearside and offside outer sills (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair Both foot brake and hand brake (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 14 Jun 2018 119,110 miles

both outer sills becoming corroded at front

front brake discs becoming pitted

Fail 9 Jun 2018 119,105 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill end capping (5.3.6 (a) (i))

both outer sills becoming corroded at front

front brake discs becoming pitted

Pass 10 Jul 2013 119,024 miles

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

Pass 17 Mar 2012 119,021 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2012 119,021 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2011 117,822 miles

Offside Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Fail 25 Mar 2011 117,794 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 11 Mar 2010 109,821 miles

Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

offside rear brake efficency slightly low

Pass 10 Mar 2009 99,639 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2007 99,619 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2006 91,661 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2006 91,645 miles

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

Pass 6 Oct 2005 84,579 miles

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

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

Slight play in steering rack (offside)

How Reliable is the Rover 216?

Based on 445,477 MOT tests across 71,812 vehicles.

66.9%
Pass Rate
3,841
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
71,812
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 27,447
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 18,363
constant velocity joint gaiter split 17,127
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 15,921
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 15,300
Full Rover 216 reliability report

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R402 MGJ is a 1997 Rover 216 in Black with a 1,589cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1997 Rover 216 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.7% with a typical mileage of 70,385 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 216 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 27,447 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R402 MGJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Rover 216 typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 29 years old, this Rover 216 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R402 MGJ?

You can check the full history of R402 MGJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R402 MGJ registered?

R402 MGJ is a 1997 Rover 216, first registered on 21 August 1997.

Is R402 MGJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R402 MGJ shows 18 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 R402 MGJ 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 R402 MGJ. 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.