Rover 218
Registered from 1994 to 1998.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1998 1.8 petrol. 16 of 60 tests failed, 27%.
Better than 44% of 1998 cars. The typical one fails 25%, across 269 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust and emissions | 50% | 8 |
| Brakes | 38% | 6 |
| Lights and electrics | 38% | 6 |
| Visibility | 25% | 4 |
| Body and structure | 19% | 3 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 19% | 3 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 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
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Headlamp levelling device inoperative
Where it stands out against its peers
- Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 91% of 1998 cars — 50% of its 16 failed tests, where an ordinary 1998 car has 22%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Exhaust and emissions — 50% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Brakes — 38% of its failures
- Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Lights and electrics — 38% of its failures
- Visibility — 25% of its failures
- Body and structure — 19% of its failures
- 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
- Seat belts and airbags — 19% of its failures
- 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