At a Glance
The Rover 400 has 23 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Catalytic converter efficiency low being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 684K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Rover 400 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Rover 400 MOT Pass Rate
Across 684K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Rover 400 (1995–1999) has a fail rate of 50.8%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Rover 400 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Catalytic converter efficiency low
99,364
occurrences
Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn
77,183
occurrences
Driveshaft fault
64,760
occurrences
Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)
52,422
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
31,204
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Rover 400 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Rover 400 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Rover 400, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
685 distinct problems · 2,260,780 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Rover 400 Generations
Mk1 R8
1990–1995
0 problems
400
1995–1999
36 problems
Current page
Rover 45 (rebadged 400 HH-R)
1999–2005
0 problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Rover 400 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Rover 400 400 (1995–1999), we have identified 23 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Rover 400?
This generation has 684K MOT tests on record with a 50.8% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Rover 400?
There are 176 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the 400 (1995–1999), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Rover 400?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover 400 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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