Used car guide

2005 Rover 75 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Rover 75 first registered in 2005 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,276 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,276MOTs of 2005 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for suspension arm

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Rover 75 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Rover 75 diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Suspension arm4.5× usual
    Rover 75
    15.4% All 2005 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint1.7× usual
    Rover 75
    11.2% All 2005 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.8× usual
    Rover 75
    9.9% All 2005 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.2% here, against 13.3% of all 2005 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.2% here, against 7.1% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Rover 75 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Rover 75 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Steering
    10% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Rover 75 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 suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2005 Rover 75 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 Rover 75 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Rover 75 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Rover 75?

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 75 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008–Too few tests
2007–Too few tests
2006571Suspension 53%
20046,412Suspension 54%
20035,196Suspension 51%
20023,917Suspension 53%
20012,186Suspension 49%
20001,164Suspension 48%
1999447Suspension 39%
1959–Too few tests
1958–Too few tests
1957–Too few tests
1956–Too few tests
1955–Too few tests
1954–Too few tests
1953–Too few tests
1952–Too few tests
1951–Too few tests
1950–Too few tests
1949–Too few tests
1948–Too few tests

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 75 cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score