Used car guide

2004 Rover 75: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Rover 75s, from 1,716 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,716MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,900typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Rover 75s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Suspension arm3.6× usual
    Rover 75
    14.6% All 2004 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2004 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× usual
    Rover 75
    13.1% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

  • Airbag warning light2.8× usual
    Rover 75
    4.4% All 2004 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.4% of all 2004 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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions3× usual
    Rover 75
    2.4% All 2004 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.6% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.5% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.6% here, against 6.8% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Rover 75 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    45% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Rover 75?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005869Suspension 55%
20031,383Suspension 49%
20021,036Suspension 51%
2001606Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Rover 75s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score