Used car guide

2000 Rover 25: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Rover 25s, from 303 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 303 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

303MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
2,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Rover 25s than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
    Rover 25
    15.2% All 2000 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Brake lights2.4× usual
    Rover 25
    10.2% All 2000 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 3.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2000 Rover 25 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    32% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    16% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Rover 25?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005304Suspension 38%
2004425Suspension 32%
2003481Suspension 31%
2002445Brakes 36%
2001454Brakes 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Rover 25s registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score