Used car guide

2003 Rover 25: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Rover 25s, from 481 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 481 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

481MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
2,800typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Rover 25s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
    Rover 25
    18.5% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.3× usual
    Rover 25
    15.4% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Brake discs: 4.6% here, against 12.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Rover 25 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    31% 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
    31% 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
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    19% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Rover 25?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005304Suspension 38%
2004425Suspension 32%
2002445Brakes 36%
2001454Brakes 34%
2000303Brakes 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Rover 25s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score