Rover 25 (2003)
2003 Rover 25
CarHunch analysed 24,335 real MOT records for the 2003 Rover 25. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Rover 25 fails its MOT more often than the UK average, with a 74.5% pass rate against the national benchmark of 80%—this is a tangible reliability concern, and notably 15.3% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 74.7% pass rate compared to diesels at 71.2%, though both underperform.
At just over 47,000 miles median mileage for a 21-year-old car, these are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they're still accumulating an average of 3.48 failures and nearly 10 advisories per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than abuse is the culprit. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and cooling system components—the high advisory count flags these as common weak points on aging Rovers.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2003 Rover 25
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Rover 25
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (93%) | 22,752 | 74.7% | 3.44 |
| Diesel (6%) | 1,574 | 71.2% | 4.19 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 70.2% | 3 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 81.1% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Rover 25 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Rover 25 vehicles fall between 35,690 and 60,145 miles.
2003 Rover 25 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 838 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Rover 25
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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63.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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28.4%
Oil leak
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27.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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24.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.3%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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20.3%
Offside Stop lamp not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 25?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.