At a Glance
Rover has 163 identified common problems across 20 models, with the Mini being the most affected model and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 6.9M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Rover common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 6.9M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Rover models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Rover Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 20 Rover models.
200
Most common: Suspension
25
Most common: Brakes
75
Most common: Brakes
400
Most common: Suspension
45
Most common: Suspension
100
Most common: Suspension
Mini
Most common: Suspension
600
Most common: Brakes
800
Most common: Brakes
Most Common Rover MOT Failures
Every reason Rover vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 11.87% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 8.53% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 6.29% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.44% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.27% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.09% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.04% |
| 8 | Driveshaft fault | 4.60% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 4.47% |
| 10 | Tyre condition | 4.09% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 3.86% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.41% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.79% |
| 14 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.42% |
| 15 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.09% |
| 16 | Track rod end worn | 1.98% |
| 17 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.97% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.36% |
| 19 | Rear lamp not working | 1.31% |
| 20 | Parking brake condition | 1.31% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.20% |
| 22 | Fog lamp not working | 1.07% |
| 23 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.97% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 0.77% |
| 25 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.67% |
| 26 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.65% |
| 27 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.61% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.58% |
| 29 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.58% |
| 30 | Chassis condition | 0.57% |
| 31 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.49% |
| 32 | Steering rack fault | 0.43% |
| 33 | Airbag warning light on | 0.41% |
| 34 | Horn not working | 0.40% |
| 35 | ABS fault | 0.39% |
| 36 | Rear suspension fault | 0.38% |
| 37 | Position lamp not working | 0.37% |
| 38 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.33% |
| 39 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.32% |
| 40 | Headlamp fault | 0.31% |
| 41 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.30% |
| 42 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.30% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 44 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.29% |
| 45 | Front suspension fault | 0.24% |
| 46 | Brake pedal fault | 0.19% |
| 47 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.19% |
| 48 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.19% |
| 49 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.19% |
| 50 | Brake fluid leak | 0.17% |
| 51 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.14% |
| 52 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.13% |
| 53 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 54 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.11% |
| 55 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 56 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.11% |
| 57 | CV joint worn | 0.10% |
| 58 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Steering free play excessive | 0.09% |
| 60 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 61 | Brake caliper fault | 0.08% |
| 62 | Body security fault | 0.08% |
| 63 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 64 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.07% |
| 66 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.07% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 68 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 70 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 72 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.05% |
| 73 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.05% |
| 74 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 76 | Power steering pump fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 79 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 84 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.03% |
| 85 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 87 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Engine oil leak | 0.02% |
| 90 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 92 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 93 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 98 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 100 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.01% |
| 103 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 105 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 107 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 108 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 109 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 110 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 112 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 124 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 126 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 132 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 150 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 165 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 166 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 176 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 177 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 179 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 182 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 184 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 186 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 187 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 188 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 190 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 191 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 193 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 196 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
Showing all 199 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Rover MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Rover, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Rover problems?
Based on analysis of 6.9M Rover MOT tests from DVSA data, Rover has 163 identified common problems across 20 models. The Rover Mini has the most recorded problems. Suspension issues are the most common category.
Which Rover model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Rover Mini has the highest count with 88 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Rover models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Rover?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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