Rover 75 (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,012 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,503

£292/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£790

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

4601cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £3,503/year to run. 13 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Rover 75

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol4601cc22 years old4,012 tests108k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4601cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£790

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,503

Per month£292/mo

Per week£67/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 75s from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 4,012 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 108,279 miles.

Got a Rover 75 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models330th of 470(bottom half)

Rank among Rover models120th of 153(bottom 23%)

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

vs 2004 models average-3%(72% avg)

vs Rover average-5%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

108,279

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Rover 75 had 108,279 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.

Looking at a specific Rover 75?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 69%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Rover 75 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	72%	323	101,727 mi
2005	72%	1,964	104,476 mi
2004	69%	4,012	108,279 mi
2003	70%	3,213	108,053 mi
2002	72%	2,383	110,637 mi
2001	72%	1,305	99,556 mi
2000	76%	673	87,920 mi
1999	73%	496	84,417 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW X5

2005 · 4799cc Petrol

£3,303/year

77%

+8%

Mercedes CLK

2004 · 4966cc Petrol

£3,303/year

76%

+7%

Land Rover Range Rover

2006 · 4197cc Petrol

£3,153/year

80%

+11%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2005 · 4394cc Petrol

£3,153/year

82%

+13%

Check a Specific Rover 75

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2004 Rover 75

The 2004 Rover 75 is a large-engined car. Our records list a 4601cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,012 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 108,279 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover 75 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Rover 75 Fuel Costs

The 4601cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 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 75?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,503 (£292/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £790 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 75 Reliability Trend

The Rover 75 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 Rover 75

At 22 years old, the Rover 75 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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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

Watch out

With an average of 108k 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 2004 Rover 75 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 75(2004)	69%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,503
BMW X5(2005)	77%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,303-£200
Mercedes CLK(2004)	76%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,303-£200
Land Rover Range Rover(2006)	80%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153-£350
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2005)	82%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153-£350

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 75

Is the 2004 Rover 75 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2004 Rover 75s ended in a pass, from 4,012 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 2004 Rover 75 cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,503 a year (£292 a month): £1,958 fuel, £790 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 2004 Rover 75?

69% of 4,012 MOT tests on the 2004 Rover 75 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 330th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom half).

Which year Rover 75 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 Rover 75 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2004 the lowest at 69%. 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 75?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Rover 75 is 108,279 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.