2006 Rover 75 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Rover 75 passed 73.0% of its 1,458 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 16.0% of tests against 12.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 126 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.6% once past 150k — 7.0× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.0% | 233 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 183 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 132 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 76 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 65 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 61 |
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 | 126 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 72 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 71 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 59 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 58 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 57 |
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 | 37.5% | 546 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.9% | 494 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.9% | 334 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 251 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 138 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.1% | 133 |
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 | 43 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 248 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 387 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 376 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 253 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 144 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,038 | 27.8% |
| Petrol | 420 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 391 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 321 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 301 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 241 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 204 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 75
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (16.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
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 75s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 1,458 2006 Rover 75 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Rover 75?
Suspension, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.6%).
Does the 2006 75 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,458 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.