2002 Rover 45 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,235 MOT tests, the 2002 Rover 45 recorded a 71.7% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2002 45 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.4%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.4%) 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, joints and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 467 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.4% | 432 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 400 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 357 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.0% | 323 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 197 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 165 |
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 | 467 |
| 2 | Joints | 185 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 164 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 158 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 154 |
| 6 | Wipers | 146 |
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 | 32.9% | 1,063 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 980 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.1% | 811 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 707 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.0% | 453 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 408 |
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 | 159 | 22.0% |
| 30-60k | 961 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,177 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 499 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 284 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 153 | 35.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,779 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 456 | 28.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,038 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 777 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 605 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 483 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 332 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 45
On a 2002 45, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.4% 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.
- 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (11.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2002 Rover 45s pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 3,235 2002 Rover 45 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Rover 45?
Suspension, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.4%).
Does the 2002 45 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 0-30k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,235 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.