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Rover 75 reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-20051 named generationSaloonPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Rover 75 built around 2004: about average at the MOT

Rover 75 models built around 2004 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Rover 75 by number plate

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Rover 75 models built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 29% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Rover 75 models built around 2004 involves the brakes.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Rover 75's most common MOT issues, turned into things to 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.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 75's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

75 RJ

RJ (1999-2005)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

31.4% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 2,089 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Rover 75.

See every build year for the Rover 75

By age

Rover 75 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Rover 75 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5935.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
42426.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,86831.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,08931.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,70129.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,10130.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
57331.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
41026.3%

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 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Rover 75 models

These issues come from 21-year-old Rover 75 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    27.1%
    Advisory: 872Fail: 70 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    21.3%
    Advisory: 476Fail: 216 (31% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    21.0%
    Advisory: 821Fail: 42 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    18.8%
    Advisory: 577Fail: 32 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.7%
    Advisory: 459Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,089 MOT tests on 21-year-old Rover 75 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Rover 75 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension51%
  2. Lighting + Suspension31%
  3. Brakes + Lighting30%
  4. Suspension + Tyres28%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,325 MOT tests on Rover 75 cars built around 2004 (21 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Rover 75.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

1 recall in all

No recall notices match this build period.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  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 31.4% for the Rover 75, both built around 2004.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,084 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    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 31.4% for the Rover 75, both built around 2004.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,985 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%

    Lower fail rate: 27.2%, against 31.4% for the Rover 75, both built around 2004.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,525 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 31.4% for the Rover 75, 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Rover 75 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 2,089 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Rover 75 ever sold: 8,225 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 2,089 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.