2002 Rover 25 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,127 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Rover 25, the most common recorded failure areas were body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.9% in the 150k+ group versus 17.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 617 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 603 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 428 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.5% | 284 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 269 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 213 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 432 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 282 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 275 |
| 4 | Wipers | 242 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 193 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 177 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.3% | 1,295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.0% | 1,282 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.2% | 984 |
| 4 | Suspension | 17.1% | 874 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 654 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 510 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 450 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,014 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,596 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 708 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 250 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,772 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 355 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,666 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 1,233 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 952 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 721 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 555 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 25
Before buying a 2002 Rover 25, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Body, structure & corrosion accounted for 12.0% of tests for this year.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.0% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Rover 25s pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 5,127 2002 Rover 25 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Rover 25?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.8%).
Does the 2002 25 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,127 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.