Lada Niva Rhd (1991)

115 real MOT outcomes analysed • 2.3% first-time pass rate

1991 Lada Niva Rhd

CarHunch analysed 115 real MOT records for the 1991 Lada Niva Rhd. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1991 Niva is a survivor, not a safe bet—only 2.3% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, though the good news is that none have ever presented dangerous defects. The petrol engines fare marginally worse at 1.8% pass rate, suggesting these vehicles demand serious remedial work before they're roadworthy again.

With a median mileage of just over 33,000 miles, these Nivas have covered surprisingly little ground for their age, yet they're still failing heavily—the average vehicle racks up 0.06 failures and 0.1 advisories per test, pointing to decay and corrosion rather than wear. If you're considering one, treat the MOT as a complete rebuild checklist, not a rubber stamp: budget for welding, seals, and brake work before you even think about driving it.

Below average reliability 77.7% below UK average
2.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
33,114
typical mileage
33,114–57,341 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.06
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1991 Lada Niva Rhd

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 Lada Niva Rhd

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
Petrol (99%) 114 1.8% 0.04
Diesel (1%) 1 60% 2

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Lada Niva Rhd 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.

33,114
low mileage
33,114
typical
57,341
high mileage

Half of all 1991 Lada Niva Rhd vehicles fall between 33,114 and 57,341 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.06
Avg failures per vehicle
0.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Lada Niva Rhd?

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

UK

Other model years — Lada Niva Rhd:

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1993 1994