Land Rover Discovery MOT pass rate and common problems
82.4% of 301,215 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests pass.
At 82.4%, the Discovery passes slightly less often than the average across all Land Rover models (84.7%).
The Land Rover Discovery has a pass rate of 82.4%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Land Rover Discovery?
This is the average across every Land Rover Discovery in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Land Rover’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 91.7% at 0–3 years to 74.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.7% | 12,492 | 32,416 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.7% | 51,033 | 52,102 miles |
| 6–10 years | 87.5% | 73,816 | 81,905 miles |
| 10–15 years | 80.4% | 59,116 | 125,407 miles |
| 15+ years | 74.2% | 104,758 | 155,001 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Land Rover Discovery
The most common reason the Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 46.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 46.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 46.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 43.3% | Excessively corroded |
| Body, chassis, structure | 27.4% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 18.5% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Visibility | 13.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 8.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Land Rover Discovery: what to check
These checks follow the Land Rover Discovery’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Land Rover Discovery comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 87.5% to 80.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 87.2% down to 81.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 46.6% of failed Land Rover Discovery MOTs. 21.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 46.4% of failed Land Rover Discovery MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 20.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 43.3% of failed Land Rover Discovery MOTs. 16.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 27.4% of failed Land Rover Discovery MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 18.5% of failed Land Rover Discovery MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Land Rover service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Land Rover models
- Land Rover Range Rover Evoque — 88.8% pass rate
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport — 88.6% pass rate
- Land Rover Defender — 77.8% pass rate
- Land Rover Discovery Sport — 88.0% pass rate
- Land Rover Range Rover — 86.3% pass rate
- Land Rover Freelander — 73.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Land Rover Discovery?
- 82.4% of Land Rover Discovery MOT tests pass, based on 301,215 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Land Rover Discovery?
- The most common reason the Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 46.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Land Rover Discovery?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Land Rover Discovery are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 21.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Land Rover Discovery?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Land Rover Discovery's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Land Rover service history guide for how to check and keep one.