2004 Rover 45 1.4L Petrol · DA04 EZX

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile with a clear trend of worsening structural and mechanical degradation. While it passed its most recent test in July 2025 at 51,532 miles, the record reveals a persistent history of significant defects that remain unresolved or recurring. The transition from a failure to a pass in 2025 suggests that only minor consumable items like the stop lamp and wiper blades were addressed, while deeper issues such as corrosion and suspension wear indicate a vehicle that is reaching a critical stage of material fatigue. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,342 miles per year. The car moved from 48,880 miles in July 2023 to 51,532 miles by July 2025. However, this low usage appears to correlate with accelerated aging rather than mechanical longevity. The presence of perishing tyres, corroded fuel pipes, and leaking shock absorbers suggests the car has sat stationary for long periods, allowing oxidation and seal degradation to occur faster than mileage alone would dictate. A buyer must conduct a rigorous physical inspection of the structural integrity, as the tester has repeatedly flagged corrosion on the front floors and general underbody. The presence of corroded brake pipes and a fuel filler neck represents a genuine safety risk that could lead to fluid failure. The suspension also shows clear neglect; the front upper arm ball joint dust covers are severely deteriorated, and rear trailing arm bushes have been worn for multiple years. Furthermore, the fluctuating offside front service brake and pitted front discs indicate that the braking system requires immediate attention to ensure consistent stopping performance.