Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Rover 213 S Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1987 Rover 213 S Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1987 Rover 213 S Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Rover 213 S Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Rover 213 S Auto (1987)

803 real MOT outcomes analysed

1987 Rover 213 S Auto

CarHunch has 803 1987 Rover 213 S Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1987 Rover 213 S Auto doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Rover vehicles below.

Rover 213 — all years → Best year to buy a 213 → Browse all Rover models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Rover 213 S Auto you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The 1987 Rover 213 S Auto does not appear in the DVLA light-vehicle MOT database, so no pass rates, failure statistics, or defect data are available for this cohort—this is likely because vehicles of this age either predate reliable MOT record-keeping in digital form or have largely left the active fleet. What we do know is that the 213 was a practical, affordable compact saloon aimed at everyday family buyers in the late 1980s, typically powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine with automatic transmission as in this example. At 37 years old, any surviving example will be a classic or enthusiast vehicle rather than a daily driver, and finding one in roadworthy condition depends entirely on the individual car's history and maintenance rather than cohort-wide trends. If you're considering one, your focus should be on a full pre-purchase inspection by a classic-car specialist, service records, and the specific condition of the bodywork, engine bay, and interior—MOT data cannot guide you here.

MOT statistics not available

We have 803 1987 Rover 213 S Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1987 Rover 213 S Auto

Based on MOT data from 803 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,408 Rover 213 S Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 28.8%

982

Red 24.4%

831

White 12.7%

433

Silver 9.9%

339

Gold 5.8%

196

Grey 5.3%

179

Beige 5%

169

Green 4.9%

168

Black 2.1%

Brown 1%

Maroon 0.1%

Other model years — Rover 213 S Auto: All 213 S Auto years → Which year to buy? →

1985 1986 1988 1989

Or browse all models: Rover →

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