Rover 827 (1989)
1989 Rover 827
CarHunch analysed 263 real MOT records for the 1989 Rover 827. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1989 Rover 827 passes its MOT on the first attempt only 67% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, which means you should expect a higher-than-usual failure rate if you're buying one. The good news is that only 9.1% of these cars have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety-critical failures are relatively uncommon.
These 827s are averaging just under 100,000 miles, which is reasonable for 1989 models, but they're accumulating 1.3 failures and 3.7 advisories per test on average—suggesting wear is catching up. If you're seriously considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone familiar with Rover saloons, particularly focusing on the electrical gremlins and trim deterioration that tend to plague these cars, since the advisory count hints at minor niggles that add up.
What to check before buying a 1989 Rover 827
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 827
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%) | 262 | 67.3% | 1.29 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Rover 827 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 1989 Rover 827 vehicles fall between 70,914 and 125,319 miles.
1989 Rover 827 — Still on the Road
10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2018 — 77% of the peak remain.
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Rover 827
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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25.4%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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20.4%
Oil leak
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17%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.4%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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12%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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11.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.3%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 827?
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