Rover 75 MOT Failures
An analysis of 152,199 real DVSA MOT tests on the Rover 75 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: R40 (1998–2005).
Where the Rover 75 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Rover 75 is power steering fault — this model is 73 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 152,199 MOT tests, 3.9% of all Rover 75 tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (37x the fleet average), light unit fault (36x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (57x the fleet average), and emissions failure (266x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Rover 75's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Steering, Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Rover 75 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Rover 75's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Rover 75 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (266x the average) and power steering fault (73x). suspension component damaged or corroded (57x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (49x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Rover 75 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (113x the average) and power steering fault (58x). fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure (47x) and fluid leak (16x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Rover 75 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (21x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (18x). light unit fault (17x) and excessive radial movement between the top of th... (14x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Rover 75 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake pipe corrosion (R40) Dangerous
The Rover 75 experiences severe brake pipe corrosion, particularly affecting the steel brake lines running along the underside of the vehicle. Affects R40; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.
Subframe mounting corrosion (R40) Major
The steel subframe mounting points corrode severely on the Rover 75, particularly around the rear subframe attachment areas. Affects R40; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Power steering pump failure (R40) Major
The hydraulic power steering pump on the Rover 75 is prone to seal failure and internal wear, leading to fluid leaks and complete pump failure. Affects R40; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£650.
Suspension component corrosion (R40) Major
The Rover 75 suffers from extensive corrosion of suspension components, particularly wishbones, anti-roll bar links, and mounting brackets. Affects R40; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Rover 75 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Rover 75
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Rover 75:
Steering — check for power steering fault. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded, abs fault. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for light unit fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake pipe corrosion and subframe mounting corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Rover 75?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Rover 75 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Rover 75?
Based on 152,199 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is power steering fault — at 73x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and light unit fault.
Is the Rover 75 reliable based on MOT data?
The Rover 75 has 18 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake pipe corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Rover 75 most commonly fails on abs fault and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and power steering fault.
How do I check a Rover 75's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.