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S494 LSO

1998 Rover Mini

Green Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Dec 2026
Tests30 (17 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate56.7%

Mileage

45,684 mi
Last recorded45,684 miles
Recorded on2 Dec 2025
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

RegistrationS494 LSO
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

17 pass 13 fail
Pass 2 Dec 2025 45,684 miles

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

Fail 24 Nov 2025 45,684 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced SILL / FLOOR (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 3 Dec 2024 43,349 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 18 Dec 2023 40,321 miles

Coolant leak core plug ()

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 4 Dec 2023 40,321 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Coolant leak core plug ()

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 25 Nov 2022 36,533 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Dec 2021 33,383 miles

oil leak

Pass 13 Nov 2020 28,720 miles

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

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

Fail 7 Nov 2020 28,720 miles

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

Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2019 27,138 miles

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

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

Fail 22 Nov 2019 27,138 miles

Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2018 22,582 miles

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

Front Spotlights Have Damage To Lenses

Internal Floor Pans Showing Signs Of Corrosion

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 24 Nov 2018 22,550 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 carbon monoxide content at 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 Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all (1.1.11 (c))

Coolant leak ()

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced on sils (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

front fog and high beam lens damaged

front reg plate damged

Pass 22 Nov 2017 16,381 miles

Righthand headlamp lens cracked

Fail 7 Nov 2017 16,274 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Both headlamps aligned slightly to far right

Righthand headlamp lens cracked

Pass 5 Dec 2016 12,171 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak ()

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded Both sides (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Tyres starting to perish / crack

Fail 29 Nov 2016 12,098 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Back box / silencer (7.1.2)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak ()

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded Both sides (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Tyres starting to perish / crack

Pass 27 Nov 2015 7,663 miles

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

Fail 14 Nov 2015 7,506 miles

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

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

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

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

Front 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 tyre on 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

front exhaust slightly blowing

Pass 28 Nov 2014 2,974 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Fail 27 Nov 2014 2,974 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Oil leak

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 3 Dec 2013 99,808 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

o/s/r radius arm pin slightly seized

Fail 1 Nov 2013 99,808 miles

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

exhaust system fouling body

front passenger seat slightly insecure

fuel cap lock stiff

nearside sill panel excessively corroded but not in prescribed area

offside sill panel excessively corroded but not in prescribed area

Pass 7 Sep 2010 98,318 miles

SERFISE RUST STARTING ON N/S & O/S OUTER SILLS BUT OK AT TIME OF TEST

SERFISE RUST STARTING ON SOME PARTS OF FLOORING BUT OK AT TIME OF TEST

Pass 5 May 2009 96,904 miles
Fail 5 May 2009 96,904 miles

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

Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Fail 30 Jul 2008 96,898 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

SERFISE RUST STARTING ON N/S & O/S OUTER SILLS BUT OK AT TIME OF TEST.

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 8 Aug 2007 95,382 miles
Fail 8 Aug 2007 95,382 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Jul 2006 91,241 miles

STONE CHIP IN FRONT SCREEN BUT WITH IN LIMITS & OK AT TIME OF TEST

oil leak

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

S494 LSO is a 1998 Rover Mini in Green with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.7%.

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 S494 LSO, 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 S494 LSO?

You can check the full history of S494 LSO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S494 LSO registered?

S494 LSO is a 1998 Rover Mini, first registered on 11 August 1998.

Is S494 LSO safe to buy?

The MOT history for S494 LSO shows 30 tests with a 56.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S494 LSO 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 S494 LSO. 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.