2005 Rover 45 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Rover 45 passed 71.1% of its 1,986 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.1 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests against 11.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 173 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 38.0% versus 20.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 327 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 228 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 214 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 148 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 135 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 119 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 173 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 158 |
| 3 | Joints | 148 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 91 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 85 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 79 |
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 | 35.0% | 696 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 555 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.5% | 466 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 414 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 252 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.0% | 178 |
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 | 103 | 20.4% |
| 30-60k | 596 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 747 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 332 | 32.5% |
| 120-150k | 136 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 71 | 38.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,710 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 276 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 616 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 478 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 381 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 295 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 216 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 45
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% 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+.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 2005 Rover 45s pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 1,986 2005 Rover 45 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Rover 45?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.5%).
Does the 2005 45 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 0-30k band to 38.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,986 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.