Rover
75
14,438 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where 75s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 10.4 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
67.1%
Pass-after-fix
4.1%
Fail
27.7%
Avg miles
105,162
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Could not determine Euro standard — check the V5C or use the government's online ULEZ checker.
The picture
Rover 75: challenging MOT record across 12,279 tests
The Rover 75 is a large family car which was manufactured from 1998 to 2005 by the British Rover marque. There are two body styles—a four-door saloon car and a five-door estate car.
MOT data from 12,279 tests puts this car on a 66.1% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 106,122 miles. The most common fail item is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mountingis significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, followed by failed number plate light.
The 75's pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
966 occurrences · 6.7% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
776 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 03
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
769 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 04
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
629 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 05
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
554 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 06
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
508 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 07
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
408 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 08
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
344 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 09
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
340 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 10
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
340 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£108–£435
If every one of this 75's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Summit
Summit ADRG-81 Rover Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£10.99
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-79 Rover Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£13.19
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-80 Rover Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£13.19
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-82 Rover Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£13.19
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
1 UK recall on record.
The 75 has 1 official UK vehicle recall covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a 75?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 75 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.