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R708 BWU

1997 Rover Mini

Red Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Sep 2026
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

49,723 mi
Last recorded49,723 miles
Recorded on20 Sep 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR708 BWU
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

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 20 Sep 2025 49,723 miles

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

Fail 19 Sep 2025 49,723 miles

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

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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 20 Sep 2024 49,534 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2023 49,320 miles

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 11 Mar 2022 48,126 miles

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 11 Dec 2020 47,478 miles

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

Fail 9 Dec 2020 47,476 miles

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

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

Pass 3 Apr 2019 46,918 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Mar 2019 46,918 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Feb 2018 45,767 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2016 44,710 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive centre sill (5.2.6)

Nearside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Fail 4 Oct 2016 44,697 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded centre sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive centre sill (5.2.6)

Nearside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Pass 5 Oct 2015 43,755 miles

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 26 Sep 2014 43,055 miles

Outer Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 17 Sep 2013 41,778 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2012 40,805 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2012 40,805 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 30 Mar 2011 38,689 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2011 38,689 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 26 Mar 2010 37,054 miles

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

Fail 26 Mar 2010 37,054 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2008 36,023 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2008 36,013 miles

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

Fail 19 Aug 2008 36,005 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 14 Sep 2007 34,304 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2007 34,192 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 10 Aug 2006 31,639 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2006 31,639 miles

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

Pass 23 May 2006 31,584 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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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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R708 BWU is a 1997 Rover Mini in Red 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 R708 BWU, 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 R708 BWU?

You can check the full history of R708 BWU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R708 BWU registered?

R708 BWU is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 7 November 1997.

Is R708 BWU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R708 BWU 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 R708 BWU 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 R708 BWU. 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.