Rover 820 (1988)
1988 Rover 820
CarHunch analysed 1,476 real MOT records for the 1988 Rover 820. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1988 Rover 820
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 820
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%) | 1,473 | 3.1% | 0.06 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 0% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Rover 820 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 820 vehicles fall between 53,614 and 93,118 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Rover 820
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
43.4%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
-
18.1%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
16.9%
Oil leak
-
16.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.7%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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13.3%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
12%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
10.8%
Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 820?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.