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S188 VCL

1998 Rover Mini

Green Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Apr 2027
Tests34 (18 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate52.9%

Mileage

79,135 mi
Last recorded79,135 miles
Recorded on23 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 Rover Mini49,150 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS188 VCL
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1998
ColourGreen
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 16 fail
Pass 23 Apr 2026 79,135 miles

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

Pass 9 Apr 2025 78,717 miles

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

Fail 15 Jan 2025 78,707 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 12 Jan 2024 77,881 miles

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

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

Fail 20 Dec 2023 77,871 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Steering linkage ball joint has slight play inner rack (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 21 Dec 2022 77,227 miles

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

Pass 8 Dec 2021 75,525 miles

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear radius arms (5.3.4 (a) (i))

both rear tyres worn on inner edges

Fail 28 Sep 2021 75,515 miles

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

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

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear raduis arms (5.3.4 (a) (i))

both rear tyres worn on inner edges

Pass 10 Sep 2020 74,731 miles

rear sub-frame getting rusty

Fail 13 Aug 2020 747,176 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

rear subframe corroded

Pass 4 Apr 2019 73,620 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 3 Apr 2019 73,618 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced front to rear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 19 Feb 2018 72,737 miles

rear sub-frame getting weak

Fail 24 Jan 2018 72,711 miles

Emissions not tested exhaust blowing (7.3.A.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

rear subframe getting weak

Pass 11 Jan 2017 71,765 miles
Fail 10 Jan 2017 71,740 miles

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

Fail 16 Dec 2016 71,729 miles

Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)

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

Offside Front Sub-frame rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement mount cracked (2.4.G.2)

Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate both (1.1.C.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid not working (8.2.3)

Pass 3 Dec 2015 70,213 miles

oil leak on engine

Fail 25 Nov 2015 70,201 miles

Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

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

oil leak on engine

Pass 26 Nov 2014 68,456 miles

Oil leak

Rear subframe has surface corrosion

Fail 20 Oct 2014 68,447 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Nearside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

oil leak on engine

underbody getting rusty

Pass 9 Jan 2014 66,764 miles

Surface corrosion to rear subframe

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 18 Oct 2013 66,753 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Surface corrosion to rear subframe

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 8 Oct 2012 65,929 miles

oil leak engine and gearbox

rear subframe corroded

slight play in n/side front wheel bearing

Pass 12 Oct 2011 63,166 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2011 63,160 miles

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

floorpan corroded in places

rear subframe corroded

Fail 13 Sep 2011 63,150 miles

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

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 14 Sep 2010 61,915 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2009 61,325 miles
Fail 18 Jun 2009 61,314 miles

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

Pass 7 Mar 2008 61,150 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2008 61,135 miles

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

Nearside Outer Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 15 Feb 2007 59,226 miles

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

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

nsf floor holed outside prescribed area

Fail 12 Feb 2007 59,217 miles

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

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

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

Front Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

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

Nearside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

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

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

nsf floor holed outside prescribed area

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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S188 VCL is a 1998 Rover Mini in Green with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.9%.

Across all 1998 Rover Mini models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.0% with a typical mileage of 49,150 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 S188 VCL, 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 28 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 S188 VCL?

You can check the full history of S188 VCL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S188 VCL registered?

S188 VCL is a 1998 Rover Mini, first registered on 28 August 1998.

Is S188 VCL safe to buy?

The MOT history for S188 VCL shows 34 tests with a 52.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S188 VCL 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 S188 VCL. 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.