1996 Rover 416 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 286 MOT tests analysed for the 1996 Rover 416, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 73.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.3% in the 90-120k group versus 17.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 44 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 32 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 29 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.7% | 25 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 18 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 32 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 3 | Joints | 23 |
| 4 | Wipers | 19 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 16 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.8% | 91 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.9% | 77 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 61 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 55 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 48 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.1% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 74 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 48 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 72 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 47 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 35 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 32 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 1996 416
Before buying a 1996 Rover 416, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1996 Rover 416s pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 286 1996 Rover 416 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Rover 416?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 1996 416 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 286 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.