Rover 216 (1988)
1988 Rover 216
CarHunch analysed 112 real MOT records for the 1988 Rover 216. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Rover 216 is struggling by modern standards: its 67.1% pass rate sits 13 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, meaning nearly one in three fails their MOT first time. The dangerous defect rate of 7.1% is manageable, but the median CarHunch score of 50 signals this is a vehicle with real reliability headwinds.
At 65,600 miles median for a 36-year-old car, these are relatively low-mileage examples, which paradoxically highlights age-related decay over wear—expect corroded fuel lines, perished seals, and electrical gremlins rather than mechanical abuse. With an average 1.45 failures and 2.8 advisories per MOT, you're looking at persistent minor issues that add up quickly; budget for regular patching and get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks suspension, brakes, and undercarriage for corrosion before committing.
What to check before buying a 1988 Rover 216
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 216
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Rover 216 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 1988 Rover 216 vehicles fall between 48,417 and 82,913 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Rover 216
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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37.6%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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33.1%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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28.1%
Oil leak
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25.3%
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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21.3%
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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16.3%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.7%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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15.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 216?
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