At a Glance
The Rover 25 has 27 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the 25 (1999-2005) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.3M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Rover 25 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Rover 25 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Rover 25 Generations
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Most Common Rover 25 MOT Failures
Every reason Rover 25 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 13.26% |
| 2 | Exhaust system fault | 12.28% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.94% |
| 4 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.83% |
| 5 | Driveshaft fault | 5.93% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 5.48% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.87% |
| 8 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.41% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 3.81% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.64% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.52% |
| 12 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 2.80% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.51% |
| 14 | Tyre condition | 2.36% |
| 15 | Rear lamp not working | 1.47% |
| 16 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.44% |
| 17 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.16% |
| 18 | Track rod end worn | 1.13% |
| 19 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.00% |
| 20 | Airbag warning light on | 0.78% |
| 21 | Indicator fault | 0.74% |
| 22 | Horn not working | 0.74% |
| 23 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.74% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.68% |
| 25 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.68% |
| 26 | Position lamp not working | 0.65% |
| 27 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.65% |
| 28 | Fog lamp not working | 0.59% |
| 29 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.57% |
| 30 | Parking brake condition | 0.55% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.54% |
| 32 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.54% |
| 33 | Rear suspension fault | 0.46% |
| 34 | Front suspension fault | 0.40% |
| 35 | Seat belt condition | 0.36% |
| 36 | Headlamp fault | 0.34% |
| 37 | Brake pedal fault | 0.33% |
| 38 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.30% |
| 39 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.26% |
| 40 | Chassis condition | 0.25% |
| 41 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.22% |
| 42 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.21% |
| 43 | ABS fault | 0.19% |
| 44 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 45 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.17% |
| 46 | Steering rack fault | 0.15% |
| 47 | Brake fluid leak | 0.15% |
| 48 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.14% |
| 49 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.12% |
| 50 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 51 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 52 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.11% |
| 53 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.11% |
| 54 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.07% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.07% |
| 57 | Power steering ram fault | 0.07% |
| 58 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 59 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 60 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 61 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.06% |
| 62 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 63 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.05% |
| 64 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 65 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.05% |
| 66 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.05% |
| 67 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.05% |
| 68 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 69 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 75 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Power steering pump fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 78 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.04% |
| 79 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 80 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 81 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 82 | Engine oil leak | 0.02% |
| 83 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 85 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 86 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 93 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 94 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 96 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 97 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.01% |
| 98 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 103 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 106 | Access panel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 107 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 112 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 113 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 120 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 124 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 129 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 130 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 135 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 136 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 147 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 154 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 158 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 160 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 170 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 171 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 172 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 174 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 177 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 178 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Rover 25 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Rover 25, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Rover 25 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.3M Rover 25 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 27 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Wiper blades deteriorated". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Rover 25 generation has the most problems?
The Rover 25 25 (1999-2005) (1999–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (33). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Rover 25?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover 25 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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