Rover 75 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
No Rover 75 year is clearly below or above the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Every difference is within the margin of error.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use yearNone
- Can't be told apart from average2002–2004
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 57.7% to 60.7%.
In 2025, 59.2% of the 4,103 initial MOT tests on Rover 75 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 58.5%. That is about average: the difference from the same-age average is within the margin of error.
Check a specific Rover 75
Rover 75 MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004age 21 | 1,700103,600 | 58.1%±2.4 | +0.3 ptsall: 57.8% | |
| 2003age 22 | 1,378100,300 | 60.2%±2.7 | +1.5 ptsall: 58.7% | |
| 2002age 23 | 1,025104,000 | 59.8%±3.1 | +0.3 ptsall: 59.5% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
57.6% of Rover 75 tests at 90,000 to 119,999 miles passed first time, against 53.2% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 56.3% and 54.7%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90,000–119,999 | 1,036 | 57.6%±3.1 | +1.4 ptsall: 56.3% |
| 120,000 or more | 1,479 | 53.2%±2.6 | −1.4 ptsall: 54.7% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Rover 75 tests were about average in every band shown.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Rover 75 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000, 30,000–59,999 and 60,000–89,999. 12 tests (0.3%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common Rover 75 problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Rover 75
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strengthSuspension | 18.5%309 tests | 7.3% |
| Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights and electrics | 11.8%197 tests | 9.2% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirementsBrakes | 10.5%175 tests | 6.6% |
| Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension | 9.6%161 tests | 4.5% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a faultSeat belts and airbags | 9.1%152 tests | 3.2% |
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 8.7%145 tests | 5.2% |
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 7.0%117 tests | 5.1% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 6.7%112 tests | 7.9% |
| Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension | 6.6%111 tests | 3.2% |
| Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes | 6.4%107 tests | 5.4% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Rover 75's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Rover 75
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Body, chassis, structure
- Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
- Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot, and check each one latches properly.
- Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Rover 75's MOT historyRover 75 questions
Which Rover 75 years have lower MOT pass rates?
No model year is clearly below or above all vehicles first used in the same year. The differences are within the margin of error.
Is the Rover 75 reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 59.2% of initial MOT tests on Rover 75 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 58.5%. That is about average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Rover 75 problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are suspension (in 55.4% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 40.6% of failed tests) and brakes (in 31.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 21-year-old Rover 75?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Rover 75 cars first used in 2004, about 21 years old, had a median of 103,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Rover 75's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Rover 75
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Rover models
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Rover 75 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count