2004 Rover 25 1.6L Petrol · KX54 FYR

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows a worsening trend regarding rubber components and drivetrain seals. While the November 2025 test resulted in a pass, the tester flagged a severely deteriorated offside front outer drive shaft joint constant velocity boot. This specific fault has appeared in every MOT record since November 2023, indicating that previous repairs were either temporary or insufficient to address the underlying issue. The recurring nature of this defect suggests a pattern of reactive rather than preventative maintenance. The vehicle has covered 70,642 miles over its 22-year lifespan, averaging approximately 3,211 miles per year. This low annual mileage is consistent with the data shown between the December 2022 test at 64,939 miles and the November 2025 test at 70,642 miles. Such low usage often leads to the degradation of rubber components due to age and lack of movement rather than mechanical wear. The MOT history confirms this, as the tyres have consistently shown signs of cracking and perishing across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 inspections. A prospective buyer must closely inspect the CV boots and all tyres before purchase. The persistent failure of the drive shaft boots suggests the CV joints themselves may eventually suffer grease loss and premature failure. The repeated advisories for cracking and perishing tyres indicate that the rubber is reaching the end of its serviceable life due to age-related ozone cracking, regardless of tread depth. The November 2024 record also noted slight play in the nearside track rod end ball joint. Although this did not reappear in the 2025 test, the steering and suspension assembly should be checked for any further play or uneven tyre wear. Given the low mileage and the specific types of defects recorded, the vehicle appears to have suffered from age-related deterioration of consumables rather than heavy mechanical use.