2004 Rover Cityrover — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Rover Cityrover passed 66.4% of its 571 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Cityrover comes out 5.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.9% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rigid brake pipes and washers — service brake performance alone was recorded 44 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 29.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.1% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.8% in 2021 to 30.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.9% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.5% | 83 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 76 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.6% | 55 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 53 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 44 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 44 |
| 3 | Washers | 36 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 34 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 32 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.9% | 239 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 30.5% | 174 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.6% | 152 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.0% | 137 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 101 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 50 |
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 | 193 | 29.5% |
| 30-60k | 299 | 36.1% |
| 60-90k | 72 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225 | 37.8% |
| 2022 | 149 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 99 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 58 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 40 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cityrover
On a 2004 Cityrover, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.9% 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 (14.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% 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 2004 Rover Cityrovers pass their MOT?
66.4% of the 571 2004 Rover Cityrover MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Rover Cityrover?
Suspension, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by brakes (14.5%).
Does the 2004 Cityrover get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.5% in the 0-30k band to 36.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 571 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.