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A3 ELS

1996 Rover 420

Red Diesel 1994cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Jan 2027
Tests18 (13 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate72.2%

Mileage

122,024 mi
Last recorded122,024 miles
Recorded on9 Jan 2026
Typical for 1996 Rover 42099,613 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA3 ELS
MakeRover
Model420
Year1996
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,994cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

13 pass 5 fail
Pass 9 Jan 2026 122,024 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin nearside front inner worn lower than all other front pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

exhaust system corroded

fuel tank corroded

Fail 24 Nov 2025 122,021 miles

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Nearside Front Body component insecure mud flap (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Body component insecure mud flap (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

fuel tank corroded

Pass 19 Nov 2024 117,996 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated perished (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin suspect on limit-recommend wheel removal for full inspection (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 19 Nov 2024 117,996 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated perished (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin suspect on limit-recommend wheel removal for full inspection (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 23 Nov 2023 113,991 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

age related surface rust underneath

Fail 23 Nov 2023 113,991 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

age related surface rust underneath

Pass 25 Jul 2022 113,134 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 4 Aug 2021 104,933 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 29 Jul 2020 99,478 miles
Fail 27 Jul 2020 99,478 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases EXHAUST PIPE (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

SUSPECT A DRIVE SHAFT KNOCK ONLY GOT IT ONCE

Pass 30 Jul 2019 90,654 miles

OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WEARING ON INNER EDGE KEEP A EYE ON IT

Fail 27 Jul 2019 90,652 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WEARING ON INNER EDGE KEEP A EYE ON IT

REAR EXHAUST BRACKET REQUIRES WELDING

Pass 24 Jul 2018 73,176 miles

slight corrosion to exhaust system

slight oil leak

Pass 9 Aug 2017 58,384 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2014 47,817 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Pass 22 Jun 2012 45,943 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 28 Jan 2008 45,902 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2006 43,239 miles

How Reliable is the Rover 420?

Based on 369,436 MOT tests across 59,332 vehicles.

62.7%
Pass Rate
6,220
Miles/Year
33
Year Lifespan
59,332
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

constant velocity joint gaiter split 35,342
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 33,911
Brake pipe excessively corroded 28,539
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 26,567
Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image 15,381
Full Rover 420 reliability report

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A3 ELS is a 1996 Rover 420 in Red with a 1,994cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.2%.

Across all 1996 Rover 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 61.8% with a typical mileage of 99,613 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Rover 420 fails its MOT is constant velocity joint gaiter split, accounting for 35,342 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A3 ELS, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Rover 420 typically stays on UK roads for around 33 years. At 30 years old, this Rover 420 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A3 ELS?

You can check the full history of A3 ELS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A3 ELS registered?

A3 ELS is a 1996 Rover 420, first registered on 7 May 1996.

Is A3 ELS safe to buy?

The MOT history for A3 ELS shows 18 tests with a 72.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A3 ELS have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A3 ELS. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.