2002 Rover 25 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Rover 25 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Rover 25 petrol than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
  Rover 25

  16.1% All 2002 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Braking performance1.9× usual
  Rover 25

  15.1% All 2002 cars

  7.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 3.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Battery2.6× usual
  Rover 25

  3.4% All 2002 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

• Rust in key structural areas2.2× usual
  Rover 25

  3.7% All 2002 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Common 2002 Rover 25 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Rover 25 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  32% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Suspension
  24% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  24% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Driveshafts and joints
  16% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Rover 25 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2002 Rover 25 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2002 Rover 25 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the battery? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2002 Rover 25 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?