Rover 105 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover 105 car check
Is the Rover 105 reliable? We analysed 560 real MOT tests across 102 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover 105? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover 105 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rover 105.
Rover 105 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover 105. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover 105 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover 105 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover 105 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover 105 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover 105 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover 105 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover 105 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover 105 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 121 | 81.0% | 27,362 | 59,552 | 74,314 |
| 1958 | 236 | 82.2% | 30,248 | 54,708 | 83,564 |
| 1957 | 149 | 83.9% | 16,098 | 63,515 | 76,152 |
How Long Does a Rover 105 Last?
Based on 102 Rover 105 vehicles on UK roads.
Rover 105 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover 105 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Rover 105
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.9% MOT pass rate from 149 tests
81.0% MOT pass rate from 121 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover 105 is 1957, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.9% across 149 tests. The 1959 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover 105 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover 105 THIS CAR | 82.3% | 560 | 56,756 mi | 69 yrs |
| Rover 25 | 72.1% | 1,784,341 | 53,712 mi | 26 yrs |
| Rover 75 | 70.7% | 1,365,354 | 77,595 mi | 27 yrs |
| Rover 214 | 67.6% | 1,033,973 | 75,438 mi | 36 yrs |
| BMW M135 | 88.2% | 887 | 45,774 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover 105 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover 105 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Rover 105Should you buy a used Rover 105?
The Rover 105 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 560 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Rover 105 are brake binding (38 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (18), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (14). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Rover 105 owner drives around 379 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Rover 105 models stay on UK roads for around 69 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.