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Rover 45 RT (facelift) (1999-2005) reliability

Not enough data

Rover 45 RT (facelift) built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Rover 45 RT (facelift) models built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Rover 45 RT (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

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Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Rover 45 RT (facelift)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1999-2005SaloonPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 1,875 tests of 45 models registered 1999-2005.

RT (facelift) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
6132.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
28629.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
46532.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
36232.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
33329.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
24430.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
12433.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

How the 45 RT (facelift) compares

At each age below, see how the 45 RT (facelift) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 3,257 tests across 4 Rover models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateRover average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
6132.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
28629.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
46532.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
36232.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
33329.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
24430.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
12433.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 45 RT (facelift).

  1. 1

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 25.9%, against 32.0% for the Rover 45 RT (facelift), both built around 2004.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,084 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%

    Lower fail rate: 27.2%, against 32.0% for the Rover 45 RT (facelift), both built around 2004.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,525 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 23.6%, against 32.0% for the Rover 45 RT (facelift), both built around 2004.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,985 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.9%
    Dangerous
    7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 25.8%, against 32.0% for the Rover 45 RT (facelift), both built around 2004.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,976 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Rover 45 name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

What has gone wrong on 45 RT (facelift) cars built around 2004

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 422 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
32%
Drivetrain
31%
Suspension
21%
Bodywork
7%
Steering
2%

Wear items

Tyres
52%
Lighting
50%
Brakes
41%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 25% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How 45 RT (facelift) cars have aged

How 45 RT (facelift) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1618202224Age at MOTBuilt around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (490 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (379 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (254 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (215 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (145 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (807 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (643 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (458 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (383 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (255 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (801 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (571 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (420 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (267 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (219 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (660 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (478 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (357 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (230 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (161 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (586 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (420 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (301 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (209 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (156 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (340 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (266 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (184 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (158 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (124 tests, 2025 data)2000
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002
How each part holds up as RT (facelift) cars age

How each part holds up as RT (facelift) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension21%22%21%19%
Brakes41%45%44%46%
Emissions32%32%34%34%
Tyres52%51%45%44%
Lighting50%50%51%49%
Drivetrain31%44%42%34%
Bodywork7%9%6%7%
Steering2%4%4%5%
Corrosion25%27%21%20%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 422 to 1,027 cars at each age.

RT (facelift) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Rover 45 models of this age

This list covers every Rover 45 built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the RT (facelift) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    20.6%
    Advisory: 147Fail: 14 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    20.0%
    Advisory: 117Fail: 68 (37% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.5%
    Advisory: 122Fail: 6 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    17.2%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 12 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    14.2%
    Advisory: 57Fail: 18 (24% of the times it was found)

Based on 465 tests

Looking at a Rover 45 RT (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Rover 45 RT (facelift) (1999-2005) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 465 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,875 MOT tests on Rover 45 models first registered between 1999-2005. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.