CarCostCheck

ROVER STREETWISE (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 123 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1396cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1396cc23 years old123 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1396cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1396cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,887
Per month£157/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

77% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 77% of ROVER STREETWISEs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 123 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,743 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars147th of 445(top 33%)
Rank among ROVER models46th of 153(top 30%)
vs national average-5%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+5%(72% avg)
vs ROVER average+3%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,743

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 ROVER STREETWISE has 78,743 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 80% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 54%. The 2003 sits between the two at 77%.

ROVER STREETWISE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200654%5070,163 mi
200580%13272,953 mi
200472%46482,183 mi
200377%12378,743 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2003 ROVER STREETWISE

The 2003 ROVER STREETWISE is a small family car with a 1396cc petrol engine. 123 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 78,743 miles at 23 years old, ROVER STREETWISE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2003 ROVER STREETWISE Fuel Costs

The 1396cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 ROVER STREETWISE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ROVER STREETWISE Reliability Trend

Older ROVER STREETWISEs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 8 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2003 ROVER STREETWISE

At 23 years old, the ROVER STREETWISE 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 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 ROVER STREETWISE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 2003 ROVER STREETWISE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ROVER STREETWISE(2003)77%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1887
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£165
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Rover Models

Explore other Rover cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Rover Streetwise.

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