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Rover 75 reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 109,181 MOT tests of cars first registered 2000–2006.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
Rover 75
54.5%pass first time
+0.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 51%of cars
109,181MOT tests

Verdict

The Rover 75 passes its MOT first time on 54.5% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (54.3%). That puts it ahead of 51% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2003 75 does best (beats 55% of cars) and the 2004 worst (beats 49%).

Of its engines, the 1.8 Petrol does best (beats 51%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 50%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car
Seat belts & airbags1.9×as often as a typical car
Suspension arm bushes2.4×as often as a typical car
Component mounting prescribed areas2.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

45%50%55%60%131415161718192054%52%52%53%54%53%56%56%
Rover 75Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2000
Beats 44%
2001
Beats 50%
2002
Beats 52%
2003
Beats 55%
2004
Beats 49%
2005
Beats 52%
2006
Beats 54%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2001–200667,18552.2%Beats 50%C
1.8 Petrol2000–200520,55057.1%Beats 51%C
2.5 Petrol2000–200513,87960.5%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol2000–20027,56756.1%Beats 48%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 25.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 18.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 15.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 18.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.9 ptsTyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.1 ptsBrakes: 15.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.8 ptsSuspension: 25.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−7.5 ptsExhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+3.0 ptsSuspension: 25.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 15.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 18.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 18.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.9 ptsTyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.1 ptsBrakes: 15.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.8 ptsSuspension: 25.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−7.5 ptsExhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+3.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 25.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
25.3% vs 17.8%
Lights & electrics
18.9% vs 22.8%
Brakes
15.7% vs 14.9%
Body & structure
7.2% vs 9.0%
Visibility
6.7% vs 8.3%
Tyres
6.3% vs 7.4%
Seat belts & airbags
6.2% vs 3.3%
Steering
4.5% vs 4.5%
Emissions & leaks
4.5% vs 7.5%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 2.4× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Handbrake performance 1.6× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k78%68%61%55%51%50%48%
Rover 75Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Headlight aim6.8%6.3%1.1×
Handbrake performance5.5%3.4%1.6×
Component mounting prescribed areas5.4%2.7%2.0×
Brake pipes4.9%3.2%1.6×
Suspension arm bushes4.8%2.0%2.4×
Headlight bulbs & units4.3%4.3%1.0×
Airbag warning light4.0%1.3%3.0×
Coil springs3.9%3.0%1.3×
Suspension ball joints3.6%2.4%1.5×
Ball joint dust covers3.3%1.2%2.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn104.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements68.3
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc56.2
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired54.6
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement45.6
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded43.4
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction39.8
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened39.5
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2006 Rover 751 engine56.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,65356.6%Beats 54%C
2005 Rover 753 engines55.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel10,05754.3%Beats 52%C
1.8 Petrol2,27758.7%Beats 49%C
2.5 Petrol1,24862.7%Beats 64%B
2004 Rover 753 engines53.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel21,69551.1%Beats 45%C
1.8 Petrol6,12957.7%Beats 52%C
2.5 Petrol2,52263.2%Beats 68%B
2003 Rover 753 engines54.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel15,63452.4%Beats 52%C
1.8 Petrol7,29457.0%Beats 53%C
2.5 Petrol2,77362.8%Beats 68%B
2002 Rover 754 engines53.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel13,35251.5%Beats 50%C
2.5 Petrol3,07459.8%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol2,53657.3%Beats 55%C
1.8 Petrol2,30656.3%Beats 51%C
2001 Rover 754 engines54.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,79452.9%Beats 53%C
2.0 Petrol2,81155.7%Beats 47%C
2.5 Petrol2,75256.6%Beats 49%C
1.8 Petrol1,16655.2%Beats 46%C
2000 Rover 753 engines56.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,22055.1%Beats 41%C
2.5 Petrol1,51058.6%Beats 53%C
1.8 Petrol1,37855.2%Beats 38%D

FAQ

What is the Rover 75 MOT pass rate?

54.5% of MOT tests on the Rover 75 were passed first time, based on 109,181 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2000–2006. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 54.3% of the time.

Is the Rover 75 reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 51% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Rover 75 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2003 75 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 55% of cars on UK roads. The 2004 does worst: it beats 49%.

Which Rover 75 engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.8 Petrol does best: it beats 51% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 50%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Rover 75?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, handbrake performance, component mounting prescribed areas. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 2.4× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.