At a Glance
The Rover P5 P5/P5B has 7 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Brake performance below minimum being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 8K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Rover P5 P5/P5B — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Rover P5 P5/P5B MOT Pass Rate
Across 8K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Rover P5 P5/P5B (1958–1973) has a fail rate of 24.3%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Rover P5 P5/P5B Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Brake performance below minimum
522
occurrences
Windscreen washer not working
222
occurrences
Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)
181
occurrences
Indicator fault
151
occurrences
Spring mounting corroded
93
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Rover P5 P5/P5B owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Rover P5 P5/P5B owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Rover P5 P5/P5B, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
350 distinct problems · 9,896 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Rover P5 P5/P5B problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Rover P5 P5/P5B (1958–1973), we have identified 7 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Brake performance below minimum". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Rover P5 P5/P5B?
This generation has 8K MOT tests on record with a 24.3% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Rover P5 P5/P5B?
There are 113 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the P5/P5B (1958–1973), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Rover P5 P5/P5B?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover P5 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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