Most Reliable Rover Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 18,309 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Rover models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
18,309 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Rover model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Rover MINI
71.1% pass rate
Best Single Year
MINI 2000 Petrol
72.0% pass rate
Rover vs National Average
58.9% vs 71.5%
-12.7% below average
Proven Durability Champion
MINI 2000
+14.7% at 13+ years
Rover has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 18,309 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Rover models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Rover model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Rover Compares to Rivals
Rover ranks #71 out of 75 manufacturers with a 58.9% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
| Rover | 58.9% | #71 | 18,309 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Rover sits at #71. However, newer Rover models significantly outperform this average.
Best Rover Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Rover's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINI | 71.1% | -0.4% | 1,559 | 2000-2001 |
| 25 | 60.3% | -11.3% | 3,802 | 2000-2005 |
| 45 | 58.0% | -13.5% | 2,180 | 2000-2005 |
| 75 | 56.7% | -14.8% | 9,031 | 2000-2006 |
Proven Durability Champions: Which Rover Models Age Best?
These Rover models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINI | 2000 | Petrol | +14.7% | 13+ years | 72.0% |
| 75 | 2002 | Petrol | +7.3% | 13+ years | 64.6% |
| 25 | 2002 | Petrol | +5.6% | 13+ years | 62.9% |
| 75 | 2001 | Petrol | +4.0% | 13+ years | 61.3% |
| 75 | 2004 | Petrol | +3.5% | 13+ years | 60.8% |
| 75 | 2003 | Petrol | +2.8% | 13+ years | 60.1% |
| 25 | 2003 | Petrol | +2.7% | 13+ years | 60.0% |
| 25 | 2004 | Petrol | +1.5% | 13+ years | 58.8% |
| 25 | 2001 | Petrol | +0.9% | 13+ years | 58.2% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Rover Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Rover's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 61.5% | -10.0% | 11,326 |
| Diesel | 53.7% | -17.8% | 5,495 |
Rover Models to Avoid
Not all Rovers are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 2003 | Diesel | 52.9% (-7.0% vs same-age) | 1,263 |
| 75 | 2002 | Diesel | 54.3% (-5.6% vs same-age) | 984 |
| 75 | 2004 | Diesel | 52.8% (-7.0% vs same-age) | 1,838 |
| 75 | 2005 | Diesel | 54.5% (-5.4% vs same-age) | 918 |
| 25 | 2001 | Petrol | 58.2% (-1.7% vs same-age) | 722 |
| 75 | 2001 | Petrol | 61.3% (+1.4% vs same-age) | 563 |
| 25 | 2004 | Petrol | 58.8% (-1.1% vs same-age) | 677 |
| 25 | 2003 | Petrol | 60.0% (+0.2% vs same-age) | 783 |
| 75 | 2003 | Petrol | 60.1% (+0.2% vs same-age) | 844 |
| 75 | 2004 | Petrol | 60.8% (+0.9% vs same-age) | 767 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2001-2005 petrol/diesel 75s, 2001-2004 petrol 25s are the models that drag down Rover's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Rovers?
When Rovers fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Suspension | 2,933 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,717 |
| 3. Brakes | 2,094 |
| 4. Body, chassis, structure | 1,783 |
| 5. Visibility | 1,125 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 915 |
| 7. Tyres | 840 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Rover owners:
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- MINI 2000: +15% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- 75 2001-2004: +4% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- 25 2001-2004: +3% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Rover Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 18,309 tests on Rover vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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