At a Glance
The Rover 200 has 40 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk3 (1995-1999) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 1.4M 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Rover 200 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Rover 200 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Rover 200 Generations
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Most Common Rover 200 MOT Failures
Every reason Rover 200 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 | 12.00% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.70% |
| 3 | Driveshaft fault | 5.68% |
| 4 | Front lamp not working | 5.21% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.16% |
| 6 | Exhaust system fault | 5.12% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 5.10% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.92% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.55% |
| 10 | Stop lamp not working | 4.10% |
| 11 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.00% |
| 12 | Suspension mounting corroded | 3.26% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.16% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.79% |
| 15 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.64% |
| 16 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.28% |
| 17 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.27% |
| 18 | Track rod end worn | 1.71% |
| 19 | Rear lamp not working | 1.65% |
| 20 | Fog lamp not working | 1.65% |
| 21 | Parking brake condition | 1.42% |
| 22 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.28% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.91% |
| 24 | Chassis condition | 0.89% |
| 25 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.86% |
| 26 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.73% |
| 27 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.69% |
| 28 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.65% |
| 29 | Seat belt condition | 0.54% |
| 30 | Steering rack fault | 0.51% |
| 31 | Horn not working | 0.47% |
| 32 | Rear suspension fault | 0.37% |
| 33 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.35% |
| 34 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.28% |
| 35 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.28% |
| 36 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.27% |
| 37 | Position lamp not working | 0.25% |
| 38 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.23% |
| 39 | Airbag warning light on | 0.22% |
| 40 | Brake pedal fault | 0.22% |
| 41 | Front suspension fault | 0.19% |
| 42 | Brake fluid leak | 0.18% |
| 43 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.17% |
| 44 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.17% |
| 45 | CV joint worn | 0.16% |
| 46 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.15% |
| 47 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.15% |
| 48 | ABS fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Steering free play excessive | 0.13% |
| 50 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.13% |
| 51 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.10% |
| 52 | Body security fault | 0.09% |
| 53 | Electrical switch fault | 0.09% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Steering arm worn | 0.08% |
| 56 | Steering operation fault | 0.08% |
| 57 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 60 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.08% |
| 61 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.07% |
| 62 | Power steering pump fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.06% |
| 64 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 65 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 66 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.05% |
| 67 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.05% |
| 68 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.05% |
| 69 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.05% |
| 70 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 71 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 72 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 74 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.03% |
| 76 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 77 | Steering drive system fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 79 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 80 | Headlamp fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 82 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 84 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 85 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 86 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 87 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 89 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 90 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.01% |
| 91 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 92 | Flexible brake hose damaged | <0.01% |
| 93 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | <0.01% |
| 94 | Electrical wiring fault | <0.01% |
| 95 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 96 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 97 | Engine oil leak | <0.01% |
| 98 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 99 | Wheel bearing worn | <0.01% |
| 100 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 101 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 103 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 105 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | <0.01% |
| 109 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 113 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 115 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 120 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 127 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 153 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 157 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 162 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 165 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 166 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 175 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 176 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 178 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 180 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 181 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 181 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Rover 200 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Rover 200, 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 200 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.4M Rover 200 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 40 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Rover 200 generation has the most problems?
The Rover 200 Mk3 (1995-1999) (1995–1999) has the highest number of identified common problems (53). Click the generation card above for the 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 200?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover 200 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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