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R974 SOJ

1997 Rover Mini

Multi-colour Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Apr 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

94,757 mi
Last recorded94,757 miles
Recorded on1 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Rover Mini51,557 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Rover
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR974 SOJ
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 1 Apr 2026 94,757 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2025 94,520 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2023 94,400 miles

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 9 Oct 2023 94,356 miles

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength nearside and offside body sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

underside covered in black underseal inc front and rear subframes

Pass 7 Oct 2022 94,184 miles

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

Pass 1 Oct 2021 94,029 miles

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

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

Pass 8 Oct 2020 91,748 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Small chip in screen (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Oct 2020 91,743 miles

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Hole in floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Small chip in screen (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Oct 2019 89,360 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2018 85,685 miles

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

Fail 19 Oct 2018 85,681 miles

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

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

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

Pass 13 Oct 2017 80,154 miles

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

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

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Oil leak ()

both front headlamp beam images fading

nearside and offside floor corroded

Fail 4 Oct 2017 80,046 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Oil leak ()

both front headlamp beam images fading

nearside and offside floor corroded

Pass 11 Oct 2016 73,948 miles

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

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Oil leak ()

nearside and offside front floor/sill corroded

Fail 4 Oct 2016 73,942 miles

Nearside Rear Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Oil leak ()

nearside and offside front floor/sill corroded

Pass 21 Oct 2015 70,434 miles

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

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

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

OIL LEAK

Offside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 30 Oct 2014 67,068 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 23 Oct 2014 67,068 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 18 Oct 2013 65,933 miles

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Fail 8 Oct 2013 65,933 miles

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

Pass 4 Oct 2012 64,883 miles

REAR SUBFRAME VERY RUSTY

Fail 31 Oct 2011 63,793 miles

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)

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

Pass 31 Oct 2011 63,793 miles

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)

Pass 17 Aug 2010 56,651 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2010 56,643 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2009 50,643 miles

Both front suspension upper balljoints have slight play, recommend replacement

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

Rear subframe has surface corrosion

Rear valance has corrosion

Fail 9 Sep 2009 50,643 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear subframe has surface corrosion

Rear valance has corrosion

Pass 4 Sep 2008 41,416 miles

advise corrosion to o/s/f sill (not affecting brakes or steering or seat belt points or seat

Pass 5 Oct 2007 33,776 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2007 33,776 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2006 33,385 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2006 33,385 miles

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R974 SOJ is a 1997 Rover Mini in Multi-colour with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 R974 SOJ, 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 R974 SOJ?

You can check the full history of R974 SOJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R974 SOJ registered?

R974 SOJ is a 1997 Rover Mini, first registered on 8 December 1997.

Is R974 SOJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R974 SOJ shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R974 SOJ 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 R974 SOJ. 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.