2004 Rover 45 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,965 MOT tests, the 2004 Rover 45 recorded a 72.4% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 28.0%, so the 2004 45 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (13.4%) and lighting & signalling (13.2%) 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 headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 383 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.8% in the 0-30k band and 34.6% in the 150k+ band, a 15.8-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.7pp more often than petrol ones (29.0% vs 27.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 531 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 525 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 416 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.8% | 349 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 221 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 220 |
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 | 383 |
| 2 | Joints | 346 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 250 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 188 |
| 5 | Wipers | 180 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 153 |
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 | 34.5% | 1,367 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.4% | 1,164 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.7% | 1,018 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 868 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.4% | 411 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 401 |
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 | 170 | 18.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,147 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,416 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 795 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 334 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 101 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,220 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 745 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,249 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 982 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 721 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 576 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 437 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 45
On a 2004 45, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.4% 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 (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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.
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 2004 Rover 45s pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 3,965 2004 Rover 45 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Rover 45?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.2%).
Does the 2004 45 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,965 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.