Rover 620 MOT Failures
An analysis of 9,324 real DVSA MOT tests on the Rover 620 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 620 (1993–1999).
Where the Rover 620 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Rover 620 is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated — this model is 27 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 9,324 MOT tests, 12.27% of all Rover 620 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (22x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (13x the fleet average), transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (12x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (9.1x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Rover 620's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Bodywork, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Rover 620 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Rover 620's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Rover 620 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (23x the average) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (19x). brake hoses perished or damaged (15x) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (12x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Rover 620 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (27x the average) and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (22x). seat mounting fault (9.9x) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (9.8x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Rover 620 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (20x the average) and seat mounting fault (13x). steering rack wear (12x) and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (11x) also appear frequently.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Rover 620 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting area corrosion (620) Dangerous
The steel structure around suspension mounting points suffers from corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects 620; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Suspension joint dust cover deterioration (620) Major
Rubber dust covers protecting ball joints and suspension bushes deteriorate at an exceptional rate on this model, with MOT data showing failures at 26.9x the national fleet average. Affects 620; typical independent garage repair cost is £45–£85.
CV joint boot deterioration (620) Major
Constant velocity joint rubber boots fail at 9.6x the national fleet average according to MOT data. Affects 620; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
Exhaust system corrosion (620)
The exhaust system suffers from accelerated corrosion, failing MOT tests at 8.4x the national fleet average. Affects 620; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Rover 620 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Rover 620
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Rover 620:
Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe.... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot..., structural corrosion.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting area corrosion and suspension joint dust cover deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Rover 620?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Rover 620 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Rover 620?
Based on 9,324 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated — at 27x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... and seat mounting fault.
Is the Rover 620 reliable based on MOT data?
The Rover 620 has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting area corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Rover 620 most commonly fails on suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and seat mounting fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
How do I check a Rover 620's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.