Used car guide

2004 Rover Streetwise: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Rover Streetwises, from 201 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 201 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

201MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
3,700typical miles a year
35%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

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

  • Suspension
    35% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    21% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% 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 Streetwise?

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