1997 Rover 800 2.0L Petrol · R652 BWK

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT in September 2025, but this follows a failure just one week prior where significant structural corrosion on both rear sills was identified, a problem that has recurred since at least July 2023. The maintenance trend is therefore unstable and concerning, with critical structural rust persisting despite being temporarily undersealed to pass inspection. The pattern shows a vehicle being presented for test with known, serious defects that are temporarily masked rather than properly repaired. Mileage accumulation is exceptionally low, with only 16 miles recorded between July 2023 and September 2025, and 98 miles between July 2024 and September 2025. This suggests the car has been used very sparingly or has lain dormant for long periods, which aligns with the nature of the faults. The primary issues are not wear from high mileage but age-related degradation: perishing rear tyres, deteriorated suspension bushes, and progressive structural corrosion that has been present for at least two years. A buyer must physically inspect the offside and nearside rear sills and undercarriage, as the MOT history repeatedly flags severe corrosion to the point of reduced rigidity, with the area subsequently undersealed to hide it. The trailing arm rubber bushes are deteriorated on both sides, and play in the steering rack inner joints has been noted. The brake system requires scrutiny, as pipes are covered in underseal preventing proper inspection, and discs have been worn since mid-2024. Electrical faults like a loose negative terminal and inoperative plate lamps are recurring but minor compared to the structural integrity risks.