Rover 45 (2000)
2000 Rover 45
CarHunch analysed 21,420 real MOT records for the 2000 Rover 45. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2000 Rover 45 is notably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.1% compared to the national 80%—that's a real gap that suggests you should budget for repairs. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 72.5% pass rate versus 69.4% for diesels, though neither inspires confidence, and 16.4% of these cars have suffered dangerous defects, which is a meaningful concern.
At 67,110 miles median, these 45s show reasonable mileage for their age, but the 2.99 average failures per test reveals chronic problem areas—expect regular faults alongside the 10.8 advisories each vehicle racks up. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection from someone who knows the model's weak spots, particularly suspension and electrical gremlins that plague this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2000 Rover 45
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 45
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 (86%) | 18,478 | 72.5% | 2.94 |
| Diesel (14%) | 2,934 | 69.4% | 3.28 |
| LPG (0%) | 8 | 76.7% | 1.63 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2000 Rover 45 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 2000 Rover 45 vehicles fall between 52,531 and 83,766 miles.
2000 Rover 45 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 364 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2000 Rover 45
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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53.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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49.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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40.9%
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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40.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.6%
Oil leak
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38.6%
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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38.5%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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37.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2000. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover 45?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.