Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd (1986)

110 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.2% first-time pass rate

1986 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd

CarHunch analysed 110 real MOT records for the 1986 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1986 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 CD is virtually impossible to keep on the road: only 1.2% of the 110 examples tested achieved a first-time MOT pass, compared to the UK average of 80%. These are vehicles that are systematically failing their tests, with no recorded dangerous defects but clearly requiring substantial remedial work to meet safety standards.

At an average mileage of 177,018 miles, these vans are well-used workhorses, yet the data reveals they're barely roadworthy—averaging 0.03 failures and 0.1 advisories per test suggests most vehicles are piling up defects across multiple test cycles rather than addressing them comprehensively. If you're considering one, treat it as a project requiring full mechanical inspection and realistic budgeting for restoration rather than a usable purchase.

Below average reliability 78.8% below UK average
1.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
177,614
typical mileage
177,614–177,614 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.03
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1986 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (80%) 88 0.6% 0.01
Petrol (19%) 21 0% 0
LPG (1%) 1 80% 2

Mileage Distribution

Most 1986 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

177,614
low mileage
177,614
typical
177,614
high mileage

Half of all 1986 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd vehicles fall between 177,614 and 177,614 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.03
Avg failures per vehicle
0.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Freight Rover Sherpa 350 Cd:

1988