2003 Rover 25 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,777 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Rover 25, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.5% in the 150k+ group versus 17.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 779 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 695 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 419 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 321 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.4% | 314 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 254 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 525 |
| 2 | Wipers | 305 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 301 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 239 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 222 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 219 |
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 | 26.6% | 1,534 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.5% | 1,356 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 1,185 |
| 4 | Suspension | 19.8% | 1,144 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 692 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 687 |
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 | 427 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,240 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,753 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 934 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 293 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,282 | 24.6% |
| Diesel | 495 | 23.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,861 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 1,428 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 1,097 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 798 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 593 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 25
Before buying a 2003 Rover 25, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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+.
- Brakes (7.2% 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 2003 Rover 25s pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 5,777 2003 Rover 25 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Rover 25?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.0%).
Does the 2003 25 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,777 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.