2006 Rover 25 — MOT failures & pass rate
477 MOT tests on the 2006 Rover 25 are in this dataset, and 74.2% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (28.3% fail rate), the 2006 25 comes out 2.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.9% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, wipers and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 43 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.0% versus 22.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 76 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 61 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.8% | 37 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 36 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.6% | 22 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.6% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 43 |
| 2 | Wipers | 37 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 36 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 33 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 22 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.3% | 135 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 129 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.1% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 83 |
| 5 | Steering | 15.9% | 76 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 62 |
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 | 72 | 22.2% |
| 30-60k | 198 | 21.7% |
| 60-90k | 137 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 425 | 26.4% |
| Diesel | 52 | 21.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 141 | 20.6% |
| 2022 | 119 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 94 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 74 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 49 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 25
On a 2006 25, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.8% 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+.
- Visibility (7.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2006 Rover 25s pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 477 2006 Rover 25 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Rover 25?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.8%).
Does the 2006 25 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 0-30k band to 36.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 477 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.