2000 Rover 45 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,057 MOT tests on the 2000 Rover 45 are in this dataset, and 69.3% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 3.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.3%) and brakes (13.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 324 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.7% in the 0-30k band and 41.8% in the 150k+ band, a 26.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.3% | 274 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 273 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 256 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 229 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 123 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 91 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 324 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 163 |
| 3 | Joints | 128 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 103 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 86 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 84 |
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 | 40.0% | 823 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.0% | 638 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.3% | 459 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 453 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 362 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.5% | 299 |
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 | 70 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 564 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 739 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 417 | 33.1% |
| 120-150k | 175 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 91 | 41.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,871 | 30.1% |
| Diesel | 186 | 36.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 666 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 510 | 31.2% |
| 2023 | 361 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 296 | 34.1% |
| 2025 | 224 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 45
On a 2000 45, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.4% 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+.
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 2000 Rover 45s pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 2,057 2000 Rover 45 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Rover 45?
Suspension, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by brakes (13.3%).
Does the 2000 45 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 41.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,057 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.