Used car guide

2004 Rover Cityrover: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Rover Cityrover first registered in 2004: we looked at the 161 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 161 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

161MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
1,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Rover Cityrover?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Rover Cityrover than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    Rover Cityrover
    33.5% All 2004 cars
    14.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2004 Rover Cityrover MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Rover Cityrover MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    52% 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.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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 emissions
    18% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Rover Cityrover

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

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2004 Rover Cityrover as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Rover Cityrover?

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 Cityrover compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006–Too few tests
2005–Too few tests
2003–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 Cityrover cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score