2003 Rover 45 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Rover 45 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Rover 45 petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
  Rover 45

  16.3% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3.1% of all 2003 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Rover 45

  14.7% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes5.6× usual
  Rover 45

  3.9% All 2003 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings3.3× usual
  Rover 45

  3.9% All 2003 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Body structure rust or damage1.9× usual
  Rover 45

  6% All 2003 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2003 Rover 45 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Rover 45 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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
  37% 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
  27% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  21% 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
  16% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% 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 2003 Rover 45 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 rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2003 Rover 45 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Rover 45 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2003 Rover 45 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?