Know Your MOT

MOT failure rate and common problems for the Rover Swb, and how to check your own car by registration.

Updated 05 September 2026.

12.7%fail rate

Rover Swb MOT failure rate

What a Rover Swb fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Suspension57.1% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

Exhaust & emissions42.9% of failures

Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.

Steering42.9% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

Lamps & electrical28.6% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Brakes28.6% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Tyres28.6% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the suspension failure: Rover Swb suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Rover Swb suspension springs and shock absorbers on AmazonaffiliateFind Rover Swb suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Rover Swb exhaustShop Rover Swb exhaust on AmazonaffiliateFind Rover Swb exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Rover Swb steering track rod endsShop Rover Swb steering track rod ends on AmazonaffiliateFind Rover Swb steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Rover Swb headlight and indicator bulbsShop Rover Swb headlight and indicator bulbs on AmazonaffiliateFind Rover Swb headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Rover Swb brake pads and discsShop Rover Swb brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind Rover Swb brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the tyres failure: Rover Swb tyresShop Rover Swb tyres on AmazonaffiliateFind Rover Swb tyres on eBayaffiliate

Other models

All Rover models MOT failure rates comparedRanked worst to bestRover 25 MOT failures27.9% failure rateRover 75 MOT failures29.3% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Rover Swb?

It fails 12.7% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 55 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is suspension, at 57.1% of this model's failures.