Rover Unknown (1989)
1989 Rover Unknown
CarHunch analysed 729 real MOT records for the 1989 Rover Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1989 Rover Unknown
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 Unknown
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 (91%) | 665 | 0.3% | 0 |
| Diesel (9%) | 63 | 7.7% | 0.08 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Rover Unknown 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 Unknown vehicles fall between 3,356 and 96,370 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Rover Unknown
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
11.1%
underside of vehicle most components rusty or lightly corroded
-
11.1%
UNDERSIDE CORRODED IN PLACES
-
11.1%
FUEL TANK CORRODED
-
11.1%
Rear Brake shoes cracking
-
11.1%
Rear Air dryer bracket is corroded but dryer secure
-
11.1%
Nearside Front Tyre date code illegible on a tyre fitted to a rear axle of a bus or coach
-
11.1%
Nearside Front Suspension bellows damaged but not to excess Bellows is perished and getting close to exposing ply
-
11.1%
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive air bag support
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover Unknown?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.