Rover 45 (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 809 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1588cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol1588cc22 years old809 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1588cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

72% of MOT tests on Rover 45s from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 809 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,774 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models260th of 470(bottom half)

Rank among Rover models94th of 153(bottom half)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average+0%(72% avg)

vs Rover average-2%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,774

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Rover 45 had 79,774 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Rover 45 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	69%	424	80,153 mi
2004	72%	809	79,774 mi
2003	72%	736	77,958 mi
2002	70%	702	79,274 mi
2001	71%	551	86,081 mi
2000	65%	423	77,262 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+1%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-1%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+8%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

-1%

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About the 2004 Rover 45

The 2004 Rover 45 is a small family car. Our records list a 1588cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 809 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 79,774 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 45 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Rover 45 Fuel Costs

The 1588cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Rover 45?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Rover 45 Reliability Trend

The Rover 45 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 Rover 45

At 22 years old, the Rover 45 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 Rover 45 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Rover 45(2004)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£133
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 Rover 45

Is the 2004 Rover 45 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 2004 Rover 45s ended in a pass, from 809 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Rover 45 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Rover 45?

72% of 809 MOT tests on the 2004 Rover 45 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 260th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom half).

Which year Rover 45 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 Rover 45 has the highest MOT pass rate at 72% and the 2000 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Rover 45?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Rover 45 is 79,774 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.