LAND ROVER DISCOVERY Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 7,627 MOT tests from 582 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every LAND ROVER DISCOVERY has the same fault.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 530/999. The score was calculated from the average of every LAND ROVER DISCOVERY that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the LAND ROVER DISCOVERY.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY (example)

Check a Land Rover Discovery before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2018	771/999Very good	88,204 miles	4,663 vehicles
Diesel	2016	736/999Very good	84,201 miles	7,372 vehicles
Diesel	2015	685/999Good	85,010 miles	7,780 vehicles
Diesel	2014	645/999Good	88,294 miles	7,488 vehicles
Diesel	2013	609/999Good	92,157 miles	6,827 vehicles
Diesel	2012	511/999Above average	82,170 miles	5,309 vehicles
Diesel	2009	413/999Average	82,848 miles	4,988 vehicles
Diesel	2005	390/999Fair	85,338 miles	7,021 vehicles
Diesel	2002	393/999Fair	83,708 miles	6,713 vehicles
Diesel	2001	389/999Fair	83,854 miles	6,488 vehicles
Diesel	1998	427/999Average	100,284 miles	1,840 vehicles
Diesel	1995	458/999Average	112,254 miles	1,901 vehicles
Diesel	1994	479/999Average	118,032 miles	1,672 vehicles
Diesel	1993	515/999Above average	123,108 miles	1,229 vehicles

How reliable is the LAND ROVER DISCOVERY?

Based on 7,627 MOT tests from 582 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

582

MOT tests

7,627

Pass rate

77.7%

Median mileage

116,998 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every LAND ROVER DISCOVERY has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 602 out of 999.

Common LAND ROVER DISCOVERY MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,098 advisory comments and 20 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 408 advisory comments and 27 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 188 advisory comments and 80 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 227 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 126 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 49 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (8.2.2)

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 23 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY LESS THAN 50% OF THE REQUIRED VALUE (1.4.2 (A) (II))

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2025	7	2	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	10	14	85.7%	Tyre wear
2022	14	31	87.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021	30	110	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	7	27	100%	Brake pad wear
2019	21	104	81.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	26	156	87.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	43	323	88.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	50	465	84.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	36	365	84.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2014	25	281	82.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	16	185	82.2%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear
2012	18	243	82.7%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2011	27	402	78.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	29	472	77.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	22	395	76.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	15	303	72.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2007	19	398	75.9%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2006	23	499	73.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	23	539	73.1%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2004	20	493	72.8%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2003	20	487	74.1%	Oil leak, Corrosion
2002	16	420	74.3%	Oil leak, Tyre wear
2001	10	259	73%	Oil leak, Tyre wear
2000	5	120	75.8%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1999	7	179	72.6%	Corrosion, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a LAND ROVER DISCOVERY?

Common problems tell you what can affect LAND ROVER DISCOVERYs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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