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Rover 75 RJ (1999-2005) reliability

At a glance

Rover 75 RJ built around 2004: about average at the MOT

Rover 75 RJ 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.

Looking at a Rover 75 RJ?

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

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Rover 75 RJ 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 RJ models built around 2004 involves the brakes.

Rover 75 RJ
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings1999-2005SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 8,007 tests of 75 models registered 1999-2005.

About 1 in 7 75 RJ MOTs (13.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2004 (21 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,089 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 75 RJ MOTs (6.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2004 (21 years old).

Based on 2,089 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

RJ 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
28226.6%
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
39326.5%

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 20 years old.

How the 75 RJ compares

At each age below, see how the 75 RJ 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
28226.6%
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
39326.5%

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.

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 75 RJ.

  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 RJ, 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 RJ, 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 RJ, 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 RJ, 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

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.

What has gone wrong on 75 RJ cars built around 2004

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 621 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
78%
Emissions
31%
Bodywork
10%
Steering
7%
Drivetrain
3%

Wear items

Brakes
73%
Lighting
69%
Tyres
52%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 24% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

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

How 75 RJ cars have aged

How 75 RJ 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: 32.3% (1,770 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (1,467 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (1,269 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (1,026 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (880 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (3,186 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (2,612 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (2,164 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (1,669 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (1,301 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (2,524 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (2,014 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (1,663 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (1,314 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (1,059 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (1,898 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,417 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (1,129 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (882 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (711 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (889 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (714 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (593 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (481 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (397 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (526 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (417 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (356 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (245 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (202 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (116 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (88 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (74 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (72 tests, 2024 data)1999
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002
How each part holds up as RJ cars age

How each part holds up as RJ cars age

The share of diesel 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
Suspension78%75%74%81%
Brakes73%76%72%75%
Emissions31%30%26%27%
Tyres52%54%52%51%
Lighting69%75%75%78%
Drivetrain3%3%3%3%
Bodywork10%7%7%8%
Steering7%8%7%8%
Corrosion24%20%19%16%

Based on diesel cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 537 to 894 cars at each age.

RJ variants compared

75 RJ variants built around 2004

The fail rate for each 75 RJ variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • 7532.1%1,394 tests

Petrol

  • 7529.8%695 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Rover 75 models of this age

This list covers every Rover 75 built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the RJ on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Rover 75 RJ?

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 75 RJ (1999-2005) 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.

*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 8,007 MOT tests on Rover 75 models first registered between 1999-2005. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.