Used car guide

2002 Rover 75: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Rover 75s, from 1,036 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,036MOT tests in 2025

60%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)

4,500typical miles a year

3.1×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Rover 75s than on all cars registered in 2002.

Suspension arm3.1× usual

Rover 75
11% All 2002 cars
3.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual

Rover 75
14.6% All 2002 cars
7%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 3.5% of all 2002 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.
Link ball joint covers3.7× usual

Rover 75
7.3% All 2002 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Airbag warning light2.9× usual

Rover 75
4.1% All 2002 cars
1.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.2% of all 2002 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.
Side repeaters2.3× usual

Rover 75
3.5% All 2002 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.8% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars. Braking performance: 3.1% here, against 7.4% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Rover 75 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

51% 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.
Brakes

40% 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.
Lights and electrics

35% 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.
Rust and bodywork

11% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Exhaust and emissions

10% 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 75?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2005	869	Suspension 55%
2004	1,716	Suspension 54%
2003	1,383	Suspension 49%
2001	606	Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Rover 75s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score