Used car guide

1999 Rover 200: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Rover 200 first registered in 1999: we looked at the 309 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 309 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

309MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
68%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
3,400typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Rover 200?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Rover 200 than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.8× usual
    Rover 200
    13.3% All 1999 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.3%, against 4.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 1999 Rover 200 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Rover 200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    17% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    17% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Rover 200

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 1999 Rover 200 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Rover 200?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Rover 200 cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score