Get Started

Rover 213 (1989)

5,095 real MOT outcomes analysed • 7.3% first-time pass rate

1989 Rover 213

CarHunch analysed 5,095 real MOT records for the 1989 Rover 213. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 72.7% below UK average
7.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
70,355
typical mileage
54,345–90,716 middle half
0.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.18
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 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.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 5,091 7.3% 0.18
Diesel (0%) 4 12.5% 0.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 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.

54,345
low mileage
70,355
typical
90,716
high mileage

Half of all 1989 Rover 213 vehicles fall between 54,345 and 90,716 miles.

1989 Rover 213 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (48% of peak).

21 10 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

1.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.18
Avg failures per vehicle
0.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Rover 213

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 35.7%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 35.2%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 21.1%
    Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 19%
    Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 15.4%
    Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 14.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.6%
    Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 11.8%
    Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. 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.

UK

Other model years — Rover 213:

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990