Rover 213 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover 213 car check
Is the Rover 213 reliable? We analysed 8,281 real MOT tests across 1,997 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover 213? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover 213 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover 213.
Rover 213 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover 213. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover 213 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover 213 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover 213 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover 213 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover 213 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover 213 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover 213 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover 213 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 294 | 65.0% | 50,372 | 64,595 | 90,374 |
| 1989 | 2,543 | 63.1% | 48,806 | 65,681 | 82,320 |
| 1988 | 2,083 | 65.7% | 44,912 | 61,816 | 81,642 |
| 1987 | 1,622 | 64.0% | 42,776 | 61,765 | 83,814 |
| 1986 | 730 | 67.8% | 42,988 | 60,660 | 82,119 |
| 1985 | 577 | 64.6% | 38,687 | 51,304 | 71,411 |
| 1984 | 300 | 63.7% | 34,622 | 48,061 | 69,518 |
How Long Does a Rover 213 Last?
Based on 1,997 Rover 213 vehicles on UK roads.
Rover 213 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover 213 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Rover 213
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.8% MOT pass rate from 730 tests
63.1% MOT pass rate from 2,543 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover 213 is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.8% across 730 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover 213 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover 213 THIS CAR | 64.7% | 8,281 | 62,046 mi | 42 yrs |
| Rover 25 | 72.1% | 1,784,341 | 53,712 mi | 26 yrs |
| Rover 75 | 70.7% | 1,365,354 | 77,595 mi | 27 yrs |
| Rover 214 | 67.6% | 1,033,973 | 75,438 mi | 36 yrs |
| Peugeot 5008 GT Prem P-tech S/s Auto | 86.6% | 3,656 | 28,837 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover 213 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover 213 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Rover 213Should you buy a used Rover 213?
The Rover 213 has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.7% across 8,281 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Rover 213 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2,313 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,533), and body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (550). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Rover 213 owner drives around 1,596 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Rover 213 models stay on UK roads for around 42 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.