At a Glance
The Rover 800 has 34 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk2 (1991-1999) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 111K 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 800 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 800 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.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Rover 800 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Rover 800 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Rover 800?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Rover 800 Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Rover 800 MOT Failures
Every reason Rover 800 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 | 8.74% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.83% |
| 3 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.74% |
| 4 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.35% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 4.75% |
| 6 | Exhaust system fault | 4.41% |
| 7 | Driveshaft fault | 4.36% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 4.29% |
| 9 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.03% |
| 10 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.87% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.55% |
| 12 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 3.43% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.10% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.04% |
| 15 | Front lamp not working | 2.87% |
| 16 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.76% |
| 17 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.54% |
| 18 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.53% |
| 19 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.67% |
| 20 | Parking brake condition | 1.64% |
| 21 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.34% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 1.16% |
| 23 | Fog lamp not working | 1.09% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 1.05% |
| 25 | Track rod end worn | 1.02% |
| 26 | Steering rack fault | 0.78% |
| 27 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.72% |
| 28 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.68% |
| 29 | Horn not working | 0.67% |
| 30 | Chassis condition | 0.65% |
| 31 | Front suspension fault | 0.58% |
| 32 | ABS fault | 0.48% |
| 33 | Steering free play excessive | 0.40% |
| 34 | Seat belt condition | 0.40% |
| 35 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.39% |
| 36 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.35% |
| 37 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.34% |
| 38 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.34% |
| 39 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.30% |
| 40 | CV joint worn | 0.27% |
| 41 | Position lamp not working | 0.26% |
| 42 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.25% |
| 43 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.25% |
| 44 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.23% |
| 45 | Brake pedal fault | 0.20% |
| 46 | Power steering ram fault | 0.18% |
| 47 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.18% |
| 48 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.18% |
| 49 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.17% |
| 50 | Airbag warning light on | 0.17% |
| 51 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.16% |
| 52 | Steering lock fault | 0.15% |
| 53 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 54 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Rear suspension fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 59 | Steering operation fault | 0.11% |
| 60 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.11% |
| 61 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 62 | Headlamp fault | 0.10% |
| 63 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Brake fluid leak | 0.09% |
| 65 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 66 | Body security fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 68 | Power steering pump fault | 0.08% |
| 69 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.08% |
| 70 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.08% |
| 71 | Drag link end worn | 0.08% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 73 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.06% |
| 74 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.06% |
| 75 | Suspension unit fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 77 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 79 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 80 | Steering drive system fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 83 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 84 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 85 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.03% |
| 86 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 87 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering shaft fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 91 | Engine oil leak | 0.02% |
| 92 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Suspension coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 95 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.01% |
| 99 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 100 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 101 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.01% |
| 102 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.01% |
| 103 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.01% |
| 104 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 106 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 107 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 109 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Electrical wiring fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 132 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 133 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 138 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 146 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 148 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 158 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Rover 800 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Rover 800, 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.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Rover 800 problems?
Based on analysis of 111K Rover 800 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 34 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Rover 800 generation has the most problems?
The Rover 800 Mk2 (1991-1999) (1991–1999) has the highest number of identified common problems (46). 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 800?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover 800 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
Popular makes with common problems
Popular models with common problems
Mercedes-benz Vito
78 problems
Citroen Relay
80 problems
Vauxhall Combo
68 problems
Morris Minor
83 problems
Citroen C15
80 problems
Land Rover Discovery
105 problems
Renault Master
78 problems
Ford Transit
125 problems
Mitsubishi Shogun Sport
68 problems
Suzuki Vitara
71 problems
Daihatsu Fourtrak
119 problems
Citroen Ax
73 problems
