ROVER 252002 · 1.4L PETROL

The Rover 25 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 22 November 2025 at 87,954 miles passed, but the record reveals a persistent pattern of minor oil leaks and deteriorating suspension components that has remained largely stable rather than resolving. The tester flagged a severely deteriorated nearside front outer CV boot and rear MacPherson strut corrosion in the latest test, while advisories for oil leaks have appeared consistently since 2024. This suggests the vehicle has been kept on the road without addressing underlying wear, a pattern typical of a car maintained to pass rather than to a high standard. The mileage profile is notably low for a 2002 vehicle, averaging roughly 3,665 miles per year. Between the 2012 test at 76,223 miles and the 2022 test at 82,428 miles, the car covered just 6,205 miles across a full decade, indicating prolonged periods of inactivity. The annual mileage picked up slightly from 2022 onward, with 2,184 miles added by 2023, 2,050 by 2024, and 1,292 by late 2025. Long stationary periods can cause seals to dry out, tyres to flat-spot, and brake discs to surface-corrode, all factors worth inspecting on a vehicle of this age. A buyer should focus on the front suspension and drivetrain during any in-person inspection. The nearside front wheel bearing has shown slight play in four consecutive tests from 2022 through 2024, and the CV boot was severely deteriorated in the most recent test, meaning joint contamination and imminent failure are likely if not already addressed. The rear suspension has drawn repeated corrosion-related advisories, including a corroded offside rear coil spring in 2023 and corroded rear struts in 2025. Structural rust around the offside rear inner sill was noted in 2022, and any underbody inspection should check whether this has progressed to the point of compromising structural integrity. The recurring oil leak advisories across the last three tests point to a deteriorating gasket or seal that warrants identification before it develops into a more serious loss of lubrication. Brake condition and tyre age should also be verified, given the car's low annual use and the likelihood of aged rubber components throughout.