1990 ROVER METRO1.4L PETROL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive repairs rather than preventative care. The most recent test in August 2025 at 73,226 miles passed, though it introduced an advisory for slight play in the offside rear radius arm pin. This follows a failure in August 2024 where the vehicle required immediate attention for insecure exhaust mounts and missing brake cable split pins. While the car has passed its latest inspection, the recurring nature of mechanical failures suggests that components are only addressed once they necessitate failure. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 36-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,034 miles per year. There is a significant eleven-year data gap between May 2013 and August 2024, during which the car covered only 483 miles. This extreme low usage pattern indicates the vehicle likely sat for long periods, which often leads to accelerated degradation of rubber components and seized hardware despite the low mechanical wear. The consistency of the mileage around the 72,000 mark over the last decade confirms very minimal travel. A buyer must scrutinise the structural integrity of the vehicle, specifically the nearside rear and offside rear lower structures. The 2013 failure noted excessive corrosion seriously affecting structural strength near body mountings. Given the age of the Rover and the low mileage, this rust may have progressed if not professionally treated or replaced. The physical inspection should also focus on the suspension radius arms and the exhaust flexi, as these have emerged as recent points of failure. The rear brake cables need to be checked to ensure the split pins are correctly fitted and the cables are secure following the 2024 failure.