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S397 FAR

1998 Rover Mini

Blue Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Aug 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

5,538 mi
Last recorded5,538 miles
Recorded on4 Aug 2026
Typical for 1998 Rover Mini49,150 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

RegistrationS397 FAR
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1998
ColourBlue
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 9 fail
Pass 4 Aug 2026 5,538 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2025 5,155 miles
Pass 15 Apr 2024 5,107 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2023 4,370 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2022 2,995 miles
Pass 23 Dec 2020 2,912 miles

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

Front suspension low

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front brake disc backing plate insecure

Offside Front suspension bump stop missing

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive valance (5.3.6 (a) (i))

general under vehicle corrosion

Fail 18 Dec 2020 2,902 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Front suspension low

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front brake disc backing plate insecure

Offside Front suspension bump stop missing

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive valance (5.3.6 (a) (i))

general under vehicle corrosion

Pass 20 Dec 2019 2,884 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front suspension has little movement clearance of bump stop

Nearside Rear radius arm has slight play

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front brake disc backing plate insecure

Offside Front suspension bump stop missing

Offside Rear radius arm has slight play

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive valance (5.3.6 (a) (i))

general under vehicle corrosion

Pass 11 Dec 2018 2,739 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Dec 2018 2,739 miles

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Bonnet Stay fixing broken

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake damaged, but the braking system is not adversely affected backing plate (1.1.21 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Dec 2017 20,425 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 14 Dec 2016 400 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2016 398 miles

Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 13 Jul 2015 99,036 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2014 98,403 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2014 98,400 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a) DANGEROUS

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a) DANGEROUS

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

Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 8 Jul 2014 98,397 miles

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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.D.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b) DANGEROUS

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 10 Jul 2013 95,143 miles

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

body has corrosion

exhaust corroded

front number plate cracked

front wipers slightly smearing screen

oil leak

Fail 8 Jul 2013 95,143 miles

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

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

body has corrosion

exhaust corroded

front number plate cracked

front wipers slightly smearing screen

oil leak

Pass 17 Jul 2012 89,278 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2012 89,234 miles

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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 4 Jul 2011 82,527 miles
Pass 8 Jul 2010 74,528 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2010 74,528 miles

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

Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

centre exhaust rubber is starting to perish

Pass 6 Jul 2009 68,860 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2009 68,860 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pivot has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

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

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

Offside front bump stop is missing

centre exhaust rubber is starting to perish

Pass 14 Jul 2008 56,291 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 10 Jul 2007 45,512 miles
Pass 14 Jul 2006 41,280 miles

Front Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

slight wear in both top ball joints

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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S397 FAR is a 1998 Rover Mini in Blue with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 S397 FAR, 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 S397 FAR?

You can check the full history of S397 FAR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S397 FAR registered?

S397 FAR is a 1998 Rover Mini, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is S397 FAR safe to buy?

The MOT history for S397 FAR shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S397 FAR 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 S397 FAR. 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.