Rover 213 (1985)
1985 Rover 213
CarHunch analysed 6,783 real MOT records for the 1985 Rover 213. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1985 Rover 213 is essentially off the road: just 1.3% pass their MOT on first attempt, compared to the UK average of 80%, and virtually none of the 6,783 vehicles analysed are still in regular use. These cars are four decades old and have covered modest mileage (median 54,744 miles), yet they're fundamentally unreliable by modern standards—only one in 77 passes without defects needing repair.
If you're considering one, understand you're buying a restoration project or museum piece, not transport. With an average of 0.03 failures and 0.1 advisories per vehicle recorded, the data reflects cars that are either barely driven or kept by enthusiasts who know what they're doing—the median MOT score of 50 (bottom quartile) confirms these are vehicles past their practical lifespan. Walk away unless you're a classic car hobbyist with mechanical skills and a budget for extensive work.
What to check before buying a 1985 Rover 213
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 Rover 213
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 (100%) | 6,781 | 1.3% | 0.03 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1985 Rover 213 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 1985 Rover 213 vehicles fall between 39,966 and 74,919 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1985 Rover 213
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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46.5%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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41.4%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
22.3%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
21.7%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
11.5%
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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10.8%
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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10.2%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive
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10.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1985. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 213?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.