1998 Rover 620 2.0L Petrol · R689 BRW

The defining mechanical story of this 1998 Rover 620 is one of chronic braking and rear axle concerns, evidenced by advisories related to brake disc wear and parking brake efficiency appearing across multiple tests from 2013 through 2015, culminating in an actual failure on 12 July 2017 for parking brake efficiency below requirements. Although the most recent test on 3 July 2026 returned a pass, it did so with two minor defects recorded against the nearside and offside front upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers, which were noted as severely deteriorated, alongside advisories for front and rear brake discs showing wear, pitting, or scoring. The overall trajectory does not show a stable or improving mechanical condition; rather, the record suggests persistent wear items on the braking system and now emerging deterioration in the front suspension joint protection, which can permit contamination of the ball joint and accelerate wear if left unaddressed. Against an expected accumulation for a 28-year-old vehicle, the recorded mileage of 116,658 miles equates to roughly 4,166 miles per year, which is low for the platform and consistent with either limited use or extended periods of standing. The MOT testing record itself is sparse, with only seven entries spanning 2012 to 2026, and a particularly long gap of around nine years between the 2017 tests and the 2026 retest. Vehicles subjected to long lay-ups commonly suffer accelerated deterioration of rubber components such as suspension bushes, ball joint gaiters, tyres, and brake seals, as well as corrosion in the braking system and underbody, so this usage history warrants particular scrutiny of those areas even where the recorded defects appear modest. For a prospective buyer, the upper suspension arm ball joint dust cover defects flagged in the 2026 test should be treated as an immediate inspection priority, as perished gaiters allow water and grit to enter the joint, leading to rapid wear and potential failure; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over bumps and uneven surfaces, and check for uneven tyre wear on the front pair which can indicate worn joints. The repeated advisories for pitted and scored brake discs on both axles, combined with the historic parking brake efficiency concerns, mean the braking system requires close attention: feel for pedal judder under firm application, check for any pulling to one side which can indicate a seized or binding caliper, and verify that the parking brake holds the vehicle securely on an incline rather than relying on limited travel. The 2017 oil leak advisory should also be revisited during a pre-purchase inspection, as persistent oil leaks from the engine or gearbox can migrate onto exhaust components and catalytic converters, while a current underbody examination should look specifically for corrosion around suspension mounting points, brake pipes, and the rear subframe given the vehicle's age and the multi-year testing gap.