Land Rover Discovery common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Land Rover Discovery at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 155,505 UK MOT tests of the Land Rover Discovery in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is flexible brake hoses (slight corrosion to ferrule): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2012–2014 cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km), 9.5× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: wheel bearings (slight play) (9.2×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (5.8×); rigid brake pipes (excessively corroded) (6.8×). The most common reasons a Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT are pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn); position lamp (not working); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Land Rover Discovery
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Land Rover Discovery than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 3.8% | 0.4% | 9.5× | 1,733 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.6% | 0.5% | 9.2× | 539 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.4% | 1.1% | 5.8× | 8,372 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 3.4% | 0.5% | 6.8× | 1,897 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 12% | 1.8% | 6.5× | 2,463 |
| Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security | Advisory | 2000–2002 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5.2% | 1% | 5.2× | 1,338 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.7% | 0.9% | 5.2× | 1,061 |
| Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 6.3% | 1.7% | 3.7× | 6,693 |
Land Rover Discovery by mileage (2005–2007 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 496 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (18%) | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play (6.3%, 4.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,305 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (15%) | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (5.7%, 5.2×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 2,635 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule (8.2%, 3.6×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 4,311 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule (7.7%, 3.7×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 5,240 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule (8%, 4.2×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 10,427 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule (6.9%, 4.3×) |
Land Rover Discovery by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 366 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.4×) |
| 1994 | 689 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.7×) |
| 1995 | 903 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.6×) |
| 1996 | 1,047 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.5×) |
| 1997 | 1,221 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.7×) |
| 1998 | 1,328 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.1×) |
| 1999 | 2,330 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.4×) |
| 2000 | 2,695 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.3×) |
| 2001 | 4,034 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (5.4×) |
| 2002 | 5,119 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.6×) |
| 2003 | 6,241 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6.5×) |
| 2004 | 6,963 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6.5×) |
| 2005 | 8,621 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6×) |
| 2006 | 8,587 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.2×) |
| 2007 | 7,446 | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (5×) |
| 2008 | 5,428 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (9.2×) |
| 2009 | 5,481 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (8×) |
| 2010 | 6,787 | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (8×) |
| 2011 | 6,255 | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (8.7×) |
| 2012 | 7,032 | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6×) |
| 2013 | 6,515 | Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (9.5×) |
| 2014 | 7,590 | Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.5×) |
| 2015 | 9,371 | Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.8×) |
| 2016 | 9,912 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6.3×) |
| 2017 | 9,937 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.6×) |
| 2018 | 8,494 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.5×) |
| 2019 | 7,989 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.7×) |
| 2020 | 6,192 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2×) |
| 2021 | 553 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.7×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Land Rover Discovery?
In 155,505 UK MOT tests of the Land Rover Discovery in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is flexible brake hoses (slight corrosion to ferrule): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2012–2014 cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km), 9.5× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: wheel bearings (slight play) (9.2×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (5.8×); rigid brake pipes (excessively corroded) (6.8×). The most common reasons a Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT are pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn); position lamp (not working); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords).
Why do Land Rover Discoverys fail the MOT?
Across 155,505 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Land Rover Discovery were pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (5.4% of tests); position lamp (not working) (6.3% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.8% of tests).
At what mileage do Land Rover Discovery problems start?
The clearest Land Rover Discovery-specific issue, flexible brake hoses (slight corrosion to ferrule), peaks against other cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) on 2012–2014 cars (3.8% of tests vs 0.4% for all cars that age).
Where does this Land Rover Discovery data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 155,505 tests of the Land Rover Discovery. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.