Rover 45 (2005)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 424 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1588cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1588cc21 years old424 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

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

69% of MOT tests on Rover 45s from 2005 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 19 years old. That's based on 424 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 80,153 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 models383rd of 504(bottom 25%)

Rank among Rover models121st of 153(bottom 22%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2005 models average-3%(72% avg)

vs Rover average-5%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,153

Average miles

140,600

Expected for age

The average 2005 Rover 45 had 80,153 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2005 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

2007 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+4%

BMW 3 Series

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+11%

MINI

2007 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+4%

Renault Clio

2007 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,711/year

68%

-1%

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About the 2005 Rover 45

The 2005 Rover 45 is a small family car. Our records list a 1588cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 424 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 25% of 2005 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 80,153 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 45 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 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 2005 Rover 45?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 2005 Rover 45

At 21 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 72%.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 80k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2005 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(2005)	69%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
Ford Focus(2007)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
BMW 3 Series(2007)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£67
MINI(2007)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Renault Clio(2007)	68%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711+£283

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 2005 Rover 45

Is the 2005 Rover 45 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2005 Rover 45s ended in a pass, from 424 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2005 Rover 45 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Rover 45?

69% of 424 MOT tests on the 2005 Rover 45 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 383rd of 504 models first registered in 2005 (bottom 25%).

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 2005 Rover 45?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2005 Rover 45 is 80,153 miles, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.