Used car guide

2001 Rover 45 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Rover 45 first registered in 2001 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 148 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 148 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

148MOTs of 2001 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Rover 45 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Rover 45 diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.7× usual
    Rover 45
    20.3% All 2001 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.5%, against 4.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2001 Rover 45 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Rover 45 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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.

  • Brakes
    43% 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
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    29% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Rover 45 diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2001 Rover 45 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Rover 45?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Rover 45 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006–Too few tests
2005675Suspension 42%
20041,341Suspension 41%
20031,255Suspension 43%
20021,099Suspension 44%
2000673Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Rover 45 cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score