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S494 SLS

1998 Rover Mini

Bronze Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 May 2027
Tests36 (16 pass, 20 fail)
Pass rate44.4%

Mileage

68,737 mi
Last recorded68,737 miles
Recorded on13 May 2026
Typical for 1998 Rover Mini49,150 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS494 SLS
MakeRover
ModelMini
Year1998
ColourBronze
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

16 pass 20 fail
Pass 13 May 2026 68,737 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2026 68,737 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))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 7 May 2025 66,742 miles

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2024 64,546 miles
Fail 2 Jul 2024 64,546 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 14 Jul 2023 60,956 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Jul 2023 60,950 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Jul 2022 57,974 miles
Fail 27 May 2022 57,963 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 31 Mar 2021 57,465 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2019 57,423 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Outer Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 6 Dec 2019 57,423 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Outer Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 4 Jul 2019 57,414 miles

Nearside Floor excessively deteriorated inner sill to floor (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 26 Jun 2019 57,414 miles

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Engine core plug (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate incorrect (0.1 (c))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged Parking brake cable frayed (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake insecure Disc guard (1.1.21 (c))

Offside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Registration plate incorrect (0.1 (c))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 12 Jun 2019 57,410 miles

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Front Registration plate incorrect (0.1 (c))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged Parking brake cable frayed (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake insecure Disc guard (1.1.21 (c))

Offside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Registration plate incorrect (0.1 (c))

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 6 Sep 2017 57,408 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort both sides (3.7.B.6a)

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

Rear Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

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

o/s/f sill holed and corroded

Pass 3 Feb 2016 54,334 miles

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

Offside Front Upper Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.3.A.2)

Fail 27 Jan 2016 54,333 miles

Centre Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.1.9)

Front Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded both sides (5.2.6)

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded both sides (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Upper Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.3.A.2)

Pass 26 Jan 2015 51,611 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 20 Jan 2015 51,610 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

n/s/f and o/s/f inner wing panels holed and corroded

Pass 23 Jan 2014 47,820 miles

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Fail 10 Jan 2014 47,787 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Nearside 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 Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Pass 14 Jan 2013 45,369 miles

Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

battery tray corroded

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 18 Dec 2012 45,369 miles

Centre Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Inner Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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)

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

Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

battery tray corroded

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 22 Oct 2012 45,369 miles

Front front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

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

rear fuel pipes corroded

Pass 19 Oct 2011 41,346 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2011 41,269 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Pass 24 Sep 2010 35,885 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2010 35,845 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

both front inner wings have corosion

front floorpans coroded

nearside outer sill is coroded

Pass 22 Sep 2009 32,115 miles

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

Fail 17 Sep 2009 32,114 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Oct 2008 29,137 miles

near side front wing corroded

underside of vehicle at various stages of corrosion and undersealed in places

Fail 24 Sep 2008 29,136 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

near side front wing corroded

Pass 26 Sep 2007 27,968 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2006 26,588 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2006 26,534 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside rear brake grabbing severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

S494 SLS is a 1998 Rover Mini in Bronze with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 44.4%.

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 SLS, 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 SLS?

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

What year was S494 SLS registered?

S494 SLS is a 1998 Rover Mini, first registered on 24 August 1998.

Is S494 SLS safe to buy?

The MOT history for S494 SLS shows 36 tests with a 44.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S494 SLS 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 SLS. 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.