2005 Rover 75 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Rover 75 first registered in 2005 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 871 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Rover 75 petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Rover 75 petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.
- Suspension arm3.2× usualRover 7511.1% All 2005 cars3.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Engine oil leaks: 4.2% here, against 13.3% of all 2005 cars. Brake pads: 3.2% here, against 8% of all 2005 cars.
Common 2005 Rover 75 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2005 Rover 75 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension43% 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.
- Brakes35% 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 electrics30% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres28% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions10% 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.
- Steering9% 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 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2005 Rover 75 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- 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
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | – | Too few tests |
| 2007 | – | Too few tests |
| 2006 | 571 | Suspension 53% |
| 2004 | 6,412 | Suspension 54% |
| 2003 | 5,196 | Suspension 51% |
| 2002 | 3,917 | Suspension 53% |
| 2001 | 2,186 | Suspension 49% |
| 2000 | 1,164 | Suspension 48% |
| 1999 | 447 | Suspension 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