1997 Rover 800 2.5L Petrol · P488 NLD

The most recent MOT from July 2025 was a pass, but it noted an oil leak and corrosion on the rear suspension arm. While the vehicle is currently roadworthy, these advisories point toward ongoing issues with fluid containment and structural integrity. A clear pattern of age-related degradation is evident in the history. There is a recurring issue with oil leaks, appearing in the 2025, 2023, and 2022 records. The vehicle also shows a history of corrosion and wear affecting the brakes, exhaust, and suspension components. Although the significant exhaust leak and emissions failure from early 2023 were addressed, the emergence of suspension arm corrosion in 2025 suggests that the vehicle's condition is trending toward increased maintenance needs due to material aging. With approximately 138,406 miles covered over 29 years, the vehicle has been driven relatively low distances, averaging about 4,773 miles per year. This low mileage may explain the presence of pitted brake discs, rusty exhaust components, and deteriorated rubber dust covers, as these are common symptoms of a vehicle that has spent significant time standing rather than being driven regularly. Before purchasing, you should inspect the underside of the car very carefully to assess the severity of the rust on the sills, wheel arches, and brake pipes. You should also check the engine bay to identify the source of the oil leak and examine the suspension components to ensure the corrosion is not more advanced than the MOT suggests.