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R425 VLF

1997 Rover Mini

Multi-colour Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires30 Nov 2025
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

53,915 mi
Last recorded53,915 miles
Recorded on26 Jan 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

RegistrationR425 VLF
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

16 pass 9 fail
Fail 26 Jan 2026 53,915 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheelarch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced centre outersill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill step (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

nearside front wheelarch corroded, not in prescribed area

no clearance front bump stops

Pass 27 Nov 2024 53,345 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge @2.9mm and worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 13 Nov 2024 53,297 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play insecure locking nut loose (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength rear mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both 3mm and worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch plastic arch missing ()

Offside Rear plastic arch insecure

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

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive nearside rear and both front mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

all 4 tyres over 10 years old

Pass 27 Nov 2023 53,034 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor at jacking point corrosion holes (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor and sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch arch extension missing ()

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced subframe n/s and o/s and front (6.1.1 (c) (i))

windscreen wash poor

Pass 15 Nov 2022 52,074 miles

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 14 Nov 2022 52,074 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases PIPE AT FLEXIBLE (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt N/S AND O/S SPLIT (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Dec 2021 50,598 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened N/S AND O/S CORROSION ON FACES (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 12 Feb 2018 50,524 miles

Front wheel bearing has slight play n/s and o/s (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 13 Sep 2016 49,695 miles

Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint n/s and o/s (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Inner sill corroded

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured COLOUR FADEING (1.4.A.2f)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Pass 9 Sep 2015 49,566 miles

corrosion on steel pies in various places.rear subfame corroded,advise clean and underseal.

Pass 21 Aug 2014 48,756 miles
Pass 23 May 2013 46,761 miles

Both rear tyres perishing

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Slight play in nearside and offside upper and lower ball joints

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Fail 22 May 2013 46,761 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

Both rear tyres perishing

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Slight play in nearside and offside upper and lower ball joints

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Pass 15 May 2012 44,264 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Oil leak

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

nearside front floor repaired from inside

slight corrosion underside - not excessive

Fail 15 May 2012 44,264 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Oil leak

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

nearside front floor repaired from inside

slight corrosion underside - not excessive

Pass 9 Aug 2011 43,784 miles
Fail 3 Aug 2011 43,779 miles

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

Pass 7 Aug 2010 42,797 miles

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

Fail 4 Aug 2010 42,797 miles

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Pass 25 Sep 2009 38,120 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2009 38,120 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 27 Sep 2008 37,857 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2007 35,147 miles

see prior test number 390265037218

Fail 23 Aug 2007 35,147 miles

Nearside Front Axle has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a)

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

Offside Front Axle has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a)

Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Pass 25 Aug 2006 30,824 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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R425 VLF is a 1997 Rover Mini in Multi-colour with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

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 R425 VLF, 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 R425 VLF?

You can check the full history of R425 VLF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R425 VLF registered?

R425 VLF is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 28 October 1997.

Is R425 VLF safe to buy?

The MOT history for R425 VLF shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R425 VLF 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 R425 VLF. 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.