2003 Rover 75 MOT pass rate: 62.5% (5,143 tests)
Is the 2003 75 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60.7% -3.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 62.6% -2.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 65.0% -1.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 75
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2,211 | 32.2% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,299 | 18.9% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,237 | 18.0% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 585 | 8.5% |
| 5 | Tyres | 341 | 5.0% |
| 6 | Visibility | 335 | 4.9% |
All 75 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2,165 | 64.2% | -2.4 pts | 92,122 |
| 2002 | 3,868 | 63.8% | -1.9 pts | 104,462 |
| 2003 (this page) | 5,143 | 62.5% | -2.6 pts | 99,986 |
| 2004 | 6,331 | 61.2% | -3.1 pts | 102,884 |
| 2005 | 3,119 | 63.2% | -1.3 pts | 97,482 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2003 Rover 75 reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 62.5% of their MOT tests (5,143 tests, 2023–2025), -2.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 99,986 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 75?
The median tested example shows 99,986 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2003 75?
In this cohort petrols pass 65.5% of tests against 60.4% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.