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Rover 25 problems (1999–2005)

The only engine of the Rover 25 that we have documented, the Rover K-Series, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2][3][4]

Outside the engine: Parkers rates the Rover 25 at 3 out of 5 and British MOT data places it around average; outside the engine, the only notable issues are corroded brake pipes and driveshaft gaiters.[5][6]

Rover 25 (1999–2005)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.5out of 10

Rover 25 rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 5 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.43 faults
  • Gearbox9.31 fault
  • Suspension9.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.81 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Rover 25

  1. 1High severity: Head gasket failureRover K-Series engine
  2. 2High severity: Sunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheatingRover K-Series engine
  3. 3High severity: Corroded brake pipesBrakes
  4. 4Medium severity: Coolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hosesRover K-Series engine
  5. 5Low severity: Broken or damaged driveshaft gaitersGearbox and clutch

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

10 sourcesHow we work

Rover K-Series

Rover / MG K-Series (1.1, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 16V, incluido el 1.8 VVC) · Petrol

In the 25
1999–2005[7][8]
Names
25 1.1 · 25 1.4 · 25 1.6 · 25 1.8
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
46
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.4 8V/16V 74-103 hp (14K2F / 14K4F, 1995-2005)1995–2005 · 74–103 hp · 14K2F, 14K4F

    With caution

    Technical sources describe the head failure mainly on the 1.8, but Diariomotor speaks of "all K-Series"; it is worth buying if the coolant has been looked after and there are no signs of overheating.[1][2]

  • 1.6 16V 109-116 hp (16K4F, 1995-2005)1995–2005 · 109–116 hp · 16K4F

    With caution

    This is one of the versions where technical sources place the change to "damp" liners, with less coolant between cylinders; Diariomotor recommends checking whether the gasket is already the reinforced one.[1][2]

  • 1.8 16V 117-136 hp (18K4F, 1995-2005)1995–2005 · 117–136 hp · 18K4F

    With caution

    This is the version most cited in head gasket failures; it is worth buying if it already has the multi-layer (MLS) gasket with the liners measured, and Diariomotor considers its absence a good argument for negotiating the price.[1][2][3]

  • 1.1 K8 60 hp / K16 75 hp (Rover 25, 1998-2005)1998–2005 · 60–75 hp

    With caution

    We have not found faults specific to the 1.1, but it shares the family's small cooling circuit (about 5.5 litres in the ZR/ZS) and the head gasket's reputation; it is worth checking the coolant history before buying.[1][4]

Faults that affect the 25

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonCylinder head and blockHead gasket failureThe K-Series' big problem is the head gasket, which can fail even below 100,000 km because of a mix of gasket design, cooling and overheating. The usual repair uses the multi-layer steel (MLS) gasket that was developed for the Freelander.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockSunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheatingAfter overheating, the K-Series liners can end up below the surface of the block and the aluminium head can be marked or warped; then no gasket seals properly and the liner height has to be measured and restored.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingCoolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hosesThe K-Series circuit holds about 5.5 litres, so a slow leak empties the expansion tank and causes localised overheating. The points cited are the tank cap, the metal rail at the rear of the block (corrosion), the hoses and the coolant passages of the inlet manifold gasket.

25 Rover K-Series pageAll versions and faults of the Rover K-Series

Faults of the Rover 25 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Rover 25

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 476 inspections of 199 cars registered between 1999 and 2005, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 2.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 10.7%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 12.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 14.1%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 3.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.8%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 26.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 29.2%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 10.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.8%.

    More defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 11.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 15.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 7.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.6%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 17.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.2%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Rover 25

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Rover K-Series (1999–2005)

Head gasket failure

High severity

Sunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheating

High severity

Coolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hoses

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Rover 25

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Rover 25?

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Own a Rover 25? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Rover 25 reliable?

The only engine of the Rover 25 that we have documented, the Rover K-Series, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «With caution». Parkers rates the Rover 25 at 3 out of 5 and British MOT data places it around average; outside the engine, the only notable issues are corroded brake pipes and driveshaft gaiters.

What problems does the Rover 25 have apart from the engine?

Parkers rates the Rover 25 at 3 out of 5 and British MOT data places it around average; outside the engine, the only notable issues are corroded brake pipes and driveshaft gaiters. The most important documented faults are: corroded brake pipes (brakes, high severity) and broken or damaged driveshaft gaiters (gearbox and clutch, low severity).[5][6]

What faults does the Rover 25 have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: head gasket failure (Rover K-Series, high severity), sunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheating (Rover K-Series, high severity) and coolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hoses (Rover K-Series, medium severity).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Guía de compra del MG TF de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 7 November 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Choosing the correct K Series Head Gasket KitDMGRS · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  3. MG ZR ZS ZT & Modern Engine & FuelMGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Cooling and heating (K-Series: ZR, ZS, ZT, MGF, TF)MGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Used Rover 25 Hatchback (1999-2005) ReviewParkers · Motoring press · published 6 June 2019 · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Rover 25 Car Check: MOT History, Reliability & FaultsCarVerify · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. Rover 25 (Rover 200 / 25)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Rover 25 (Rover 200 / 25)Wikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. MG ZR (used car review)Auto Express · Motoring press · published 28 September 2004 · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. MGF & TF Headgasket Repair KitsMGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026