2003 Rover 75 (first used 2003) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 60.2% of Rover 75s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 5,188 75 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Rover 75s first used in 2003 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2003 Rover 75 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 75s first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 75 figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2003 75 | All cars first used 2003 | 75 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54.5% | 54.0% | 3,143 |
| 2022 | 57.7% | 55.7% | 2,589 |
| 2023 | 55.8% | 56.7% | 2,111 |
| 2024 | 57.8% | 57.2% | 1,699 |
| 2025 | 60.2% | 58.7% | 1,378 |
Common 2003 Rover 75 MOT failures
Share of the 2,199 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 18.4% | 405 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 13.2% | 290 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 10.8% | 238 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 10.3% | 227 |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | 8.6% | 190 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 75 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2003 Rover 75 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2003 Rover 75 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 75s, as a share of all 5,188 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 23.3% | 1,208 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.2% | 842 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.6% | 654 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | 11.6% | 603 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.2% | 479 |
Questions about the 2003 Rover 75 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Rover 75?
In 2025, 60.2% of 75s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2003 75 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 55.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (38.7%) and brakes (31.9%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (18.4%).
How often does a 2003 Rover 75 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 39.8% of first tests on 75s first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 34.9% failed, and a further 4.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,199 of 5,188 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2003 Rover 75 MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 23.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.6%), “Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened” (11.6%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.2%).
Is a 2003 Rover 75 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 54.5% in 2021 to 60.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2003
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2003 75?
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