Rover 820 (1990)

1,175 real MOT outcomes analysed • 20.6% first-time pass rate

1990 Rover 820

CarHunch analysed 1,175 real MOT records for the 1990 Rover 820. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 59.4% below UK average
20.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
93,266
typical mileage
72,555–123,849 middle half
2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.42
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1990 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.

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%) 1,173 20.6% 0.42
LPG (0%) 1 50% 5
Diesel (0%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1990 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.

72,555
low mileage
93,266
typical
123,849
high mileage

Half of all 1990 Rover 820 vehicles fall between 72,555 and 123,849 miles.

1990 Rover 820 — Still on the Road

12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2018 — 71% of the peak remain.

17 12 2014 2018

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2018.

MOT History Averages

1.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.42
Avg failures per vehicle
0.9
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 Rover 820

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

  • 28.2%
    Oil leak
  • 21.1%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 17.8%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 16.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 10.6%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 9.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 9.8%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. 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.

UK

Other model years — Rover 820:

1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999