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Rover Sd1 (1986)

144 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.5% first-time pass rate

1986 Rover Sd1

CarHunch analysed 144 real MOT records for the 1986 Rover Sd1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 7.5% below UK average
72.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
91,955
typical mileage
72,206–114,745 middle half
16.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.28
avg MOT failures per car
over 8.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1986 Rover Sd1

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 Sd1

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 →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 143 72.7% 2.27
LPG (1%) 1 50% 4

Mileage Distribution

Most 1986 Rover Sd1 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.

72,206
low mileage
91,955
typical
114,745
high mileage

Half of all 1986 Rover Sd1 vehicles fall between 72,206 and 114,745 miles.

1986 Rover Sd1 — Still on the Road

25 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% of the peak remain.

41 25 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

8.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.28
Avg failures per vehicle
8.9
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Rover Sd1

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

  • 50.7%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 41.3%
    Oil leak
  • 36.8%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 31.3%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 26.4%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 23.9%
    Nearside Steering rack gaiter split
  • 22.9%
    Offside Steering rack gaiter split
  • 21.9%
    Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Rover Sd1?

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

UK

Other model years — Rover Sd1:

1983 1984 1985