Lada Unknown (1987)
1987 Lada Unknown
CarHunch analysed 164 real MOT records for the 1987 Lada Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Lada has a first-time pass rate of just 50%, well below the UK average of 80%, making it a significantly less reliable proposition at MOT time. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually non-existent at 0%, so the failures that do occur tend to be fixable rather than safety-critical.
These cars are holding up remarkably well given their age, with a median mileage of 44,407 miles suggesting most survivors are low-use classics rather than daily drivers. The average of just 0.01 failures per vehicle and 0.1 advisories signals that when a Lada does fail, it's usually one or two specific issues rather than widespread decay—so if you're buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection to identify those weak points and budget for their repair.
What to check before buying a 1987 Lada Unknown
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 Unknown
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Lada Unknown 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.
Half of all 1987 Lada Unknown vehicles fall between 44,407 and 44,407 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Lada Unknown
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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400%
Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play
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400%
Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play
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200%
Nearside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill
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100%
Offside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill
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100%
Offside Vehicle structure is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced outer sill
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100%
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lada Unknown?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.