Rover
216
2,230 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 216s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 6.2 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
71.3%
Pass-after-fix
4.1%
Fail
23.5%
Avg miles
82,774
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars registered before January 2006 are typically pre-Euro 4 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ. Bristol CAZ does not charge petrol cars. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
216: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,055 MOT tests, the 216 returns 70.6% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a missing CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 81,869, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
169 occurrences · 7.6% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
91 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
80 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 04
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
71 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
67 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 06
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
65 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 07
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
63 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 08
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
55 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 09
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
53 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 10
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
53 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a 216?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 216 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.