Rover 218 (1993)
1993 Rover 218
CarHunch analysed 2,421 real MOT records for the 1993 Rover 218. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1993 Rover 218 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 65.7%, which is notably below the UK average of 80%—a clear signal that these cars are ageing poorly and you should expect maintenance headaches. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively rare at 8.2%, so safety isn't the primary worry here.
At 134,847 miles on average, these diesels have genuine mileage for their age, which explains why they're racking up 1.43 failures per test. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection to focus on the common failure patterns—with 3.2 advisories per vehicle on average, suspension, emissions, and cooling systems are likely candidates for near-term spending.
What to check before buying a 1993 Rover 218
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 218
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 2,409 | 65.7% | 1.43 |
| Petrol (0%) | 12 | 67.5% | 1.08 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1993 Rover 218 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 1993 Rover 218 vehicles fall between 109,380 and 156,796 miles.
1993 Rover 218 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 (24% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1993 Rover 218
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
26.6%
Oil leak
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19.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.7%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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16.2%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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14.6%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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14.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.7%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1993. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 218?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.