Family hatchback · 2000–2008 cars
Rover 45 reliability
The Rover 45 fails 43.9% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 8,589 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Rover 45 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 43.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 8,589
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Rover 45 ages
Each point is the share of Rover 45s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Rover 45 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 43.9% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 44.7% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 43.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 45.4% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 41.7% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 43.2% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 43.4% | 38.9% |
By year
The best and worst Rover 45 years
2001 cars come out best and 2002 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 944 | 47.2% | 21% more fails | 70,060 |
| 2004 45 | 1,898 | 43.9% | 11% more fails | 73,714 |
| 2003 45 | 1,800 | 42.8% | 9% more fails | 74,872 |
| 2002 45 | 1,572 | 43.8% | 14% more fails | 71,566 |
| 2001 45 | 1,350 | 40.8% | 5% more fails | 74,112 |
| 2000 | 939 | 47.3% | 27% more fails | 75,157 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Rover 45
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 112% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Body, chassis and structure16.7%112% above avg
- Lights and electrics16.2%10% below avg
- Suspension15.9%16% above avg
- Brakes13.4%17% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.6%5% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.9%13% above avg
- Tyres6.3%12% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags4.6%77% above avg
- Steering2.5%19% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 8.3% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.31% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 4.25% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.81% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.6% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 6
Position lamp not working 3.02% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 7
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.95% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 8
Service brake excessively binding 2.84% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Rover 45's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy13.39%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.25%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear13.1%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.83%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive9.81%
- Suspension mounting area showing corrosion8.49%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Rover 45
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol84.7%
- Diesel15.2%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Red, Green, Grey
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Rover 45 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo 147 | 44.7% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Escort | 38.9% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 45 | 43.9% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Veloster | 36.2% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG GS | 21.3% | 31% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG 6 | 38.2% | 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Lacetti | 52.3% | 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Rover models.
Questions
Rover 45 questions, answered
Is the Rover 45 reliable?
On MOT results, the Rover 45 is below average: it fails 43.9% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 44 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Rover 45 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Rover 45 are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (8.3% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (7.31% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.25% of tests). By area, body, chassis and structure fails 16.7% of its tests.
Which Rover 45 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2001 cars do best (5% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Rover 45 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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