Car statistics

Rover 25 statistics

How many Rover 25s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 2,453 DVSA MOT tests.

Last updated
Records analysed
8,011 25 records (licensed and SORN)
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed in Great Britain 1,952 −23.0% on a year earlier
  • Declared SORN 6,059 Off the road, not taxed
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 62.0% Cars of the same ages 60.9%
  • Rank by number licensed No. 563 of 1,159 models we cover
  • Peak year 2005 151,539 licensed
  • Average annual mileage 2,872 miles a year

How many Rover 25s are left in Great Britain?

There were 1,952 Rover 25s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 6,059 declared off the road (SORN). That is 98.7% fewer than the peak of 151,539 in 2005.

Rover 25s licensed in Great Britain

Numbers peaked in 2005 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.

Rover 25s licensed in Great Britain at the end of each year
Year Licensed
1999 1,175
2000 42,898
2001 82,693
2002 112,645
2003 132,059
2004 146,069
2005 151,539
2006 149,877
2007 146,144
2008 140,978
2009 134,528
2010 124,324
2011 110,386
2012 93,985
2013 76,536
2014 59,346
2015 44,922
2016 33,038
2017 23,027
2018 16,124
2019 11,435
2020 8,241
2021 5,936
2022 4,616
2023 3,527
2024 2,718
2025 2,112
2026 1,952

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Rover 25 versions

The Rover 25 GSI has its own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.

Versions of the Rover 25 with their own page
Version Licensed SORN
Rover 25 GSI 70 75

Rover 25 MOT reliability

In 2025, 62.0% of Rover 25 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Rover 25s tested pass 60.9% of the time, so the Rover 25 does better than average for its age, by 1.1 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 62.2%.

MOT first-time pass rate by age: Rover 25 vs all cars

Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.

MOT first-time pass rate by vehicle age, Rover 25 compared with all cars
Vehicle age Rover 25All cars
20+ years 62.1%61.0%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Rover 25 MOT failures

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Rover 25 fails its MOT, appearing on 43.1% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 5.8% of Rover 25 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common MOT failure categories

Share of failed Rover 25 MOT tests with at least one defect in each category
Defect category Share of failed tests
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 43.1%
Body, chassis, structure 38.5%
Brakes 24.8%
Suspension 21.5%
Visibility 18.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks 13.3%
Tyres 10.6%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 8.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common Rover 25 MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Rover 25 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt”, on 24.2% of 931 failed tests. 62.3% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed Rover 25 tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure 24.2%
Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension 14.0%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility 11.8%
Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 9.8%
Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure 8.1%
Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 7.4%
Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes 6.4%
Service brake imbalance: across an axle Brakes 6.2%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 5.4%
Rear fog lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 5.3%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common advisories

Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.

Most common MOT advisories on Rover 25 tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 16.0%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 12.5%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 10.1%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 8.7%
Component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Suspension 7.7%
Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure 7.4%
Coil spring: corroded Suspension 7.0%
Service brake performance: binding but not excessively Brakes 6.4%
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle 4.9%
Other components: slight seepage from a component Steering 4.9%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Rover 25 annual mileage

The average Rover 25 covers 2,872 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.

Average annual mileage by age

Average annual mileage of a Rover 25 by vehicle age
Vehicle age Miles a year
20+ years 2,853

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Rover 25 registrations over time

Registrations of Rover 25s for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 42,020 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.

Registered for the first time, by year

Rover 25s registered for the first time in Great Britain, by year
Year First registrations
’01 42,020
’02 31,065
’03 24,356
’04 11,732
’05 5,135
’06 671
’07 55
’08 14
’09 7
’10 3
’11 4
’12 1
’13 2
’14 0
’15 0
’16 0
’17 0
’18 0
’19 0
’20 0
’21 0
’22 1
’23 0
’24 0
’25 0

Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated

Rover 25 engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 2,140 Rover 25s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 76.4% have an engine of 1,301cc to 1,400cc, and 14.3% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc.

Engine sizes, end of 2025

DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.

Rover 25s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, by engine size
Engine size Share of those licensed
1,301cc to 1,400cc 1,635 licensed 76.4%
1,501cc to 1,600cc 306 licensed 14.3%
1,901cc to 2,000cc 124 licensed 5.8%
1,701cc to 1,800cc 54 licensed 2.5%
Other sizes 21 licensed 1.0%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

Engine size and fuel together, end of 2025
Engine size Fuel Licensed Share
1,301–1,400cc Petrol 1,633 76.3%
1,501–1,600cc Petrol 306 14.3%
1,901–2,000cc Diesel 124 5.8%
1,701–1,800cc Petrol 54 2.5%

Fuel type, 2014 to 2025

Share of those licensed at the end of each year.

Rover 25s licensed in the UK by fuel type, share of each year’s total
Year PetrolDiesel
2014 93.2%6.8%
2015 93.2%6.8%
2016 93.2%6.8%
2017 93.3%6.7%
2018 93.5%6.5%
2019 93.2%6.8%
2020 93.6%6.4%
2021 93.5%6.5%
2022 93.5%6.5%
2023 93.9%6.0%
2024 94.2%5.8%
2025 94.1%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Rover 25 fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Rover 25 from 2000, when the data begins, to 2006. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2006), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 34.3 to 53.8 mpg, with CO2 of 150 to 196 g/km.

Official NEDC figures by engine and fuel, listed 2000 to 2006
Engine and fuel Combined mpg CO2 g/km Listed Euro standard Versions
1.1 petrol 41.3–42.0 160–164 2002–2006 Euro 3 5
1.4 petrol 41.3–42.8 162–164 2000–2006 Euro 2 to Euro 3 8
1.6 petrol 36.6–42.5 164–184 2000–2006 Euro 2 to Euro 3 11
1.8 petrol 34.3–37.8 178–196 2000–2006 Euro 2 to Euro 3 8
2.0 diesel 51.5–53.8 150 2000–2006 Euro 3 5

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated

  • Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
  • Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model name “Rover 25”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Rover 25 safety recalls

We found no recalls for the Rover 25 in DVSA’s records since 1992. That does not mean none apply: DVSA sometimes records a recall under a range or chassis name we cannot match to a model. Check a specific car on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check.

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Rover 25. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Compare the Rover 25 with other Rover models

Rover 25 compared with other Rover models
Model Licensed Change on a year SORN Rank Main fuel
Rover 25 1,952 −23.0% 6,059 563 Petrol
Rover Mini 6,635 −2.4% 22,075 392 Petrol
Rover 75 5,189 −16.9% 8,453 433 Diesel
Rover Range Rover 1,432 +4.5% 5,716 614 Petrol
Rover SD1 1,403 +0.2% 1,547 618 Petrol

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed and SORN counts Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 8,011 25 records (licensed and SORN) 15 September 2026
Registered for the first time Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport 2001 to 2025 15 September 2026
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring
2025 2,453 MOT tests 15 September 2026
  • Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
  • Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
  • First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
  • Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
  • MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.