Used car guide

2005 Rover 25: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Rover 25s, from 304 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 304 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

304MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,300typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Rover 25s than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Rover 25
    15.8% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3.2% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 6.9% here, against 13.9% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Rover 25 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    36% 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
    24% 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
    19% 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
    16% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Steering
    14% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004425Suspension 32%
2003481Suspension 31%
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 2005 Rover 25s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score