Rover Range Rover (1981)

2,328 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.6% first-time pass rate

1981 Rover Range Rover

CarHunch analysed 2,328 real MOT records for the 1981 Rover Range Rover. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 79.4% below UK average
0.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
41,150
typical mileage
37,602–49,217 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.01
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1981 Rover Range Rover

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 Range Rover

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 (77%) 1,784 0.4% 0
Diesel (23%) 531 0.9% 0.01
LPG (0%) 8 0% 0
Gas (0%) 2 0% 0
Other (0%) 1 50% 2
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) 1 0% 0
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 Rover Range Rover 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.

37,602
low mileage
41,150
typical
49,217
high mileage

Half of all 1981 Rover Range Rover vehicles fall between 37,602 and 49,217 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.01
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Rover Range Rover?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Rover Range Rover:

1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986