Land Rover Discovery Sport MOT pass rate and common problems
88.0% of 218,384 Land Rover Discovery Sport MOT tests pass.
The Discovery Sport has a pass rate of 88.0%, a little higher than the average across all Land Rover models (84.7%).
The Land Rover Discovery Sport passes its MOT 88.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Land Rover Discovery Sport?
This is the average across every Land Rover Discovery Sport 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 stays relatively stable with age: 88.1% at 0–3 years versus 87.7% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 88.1% | 7,068 | 29,118 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.6% | 78,872 | 42,839 miles |
| 6–10 years | 87.7% | 132,412 | 70,816 miles |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (24) | 24 | no reading |
| 15+ years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Land Rover Discovery Sport
The most common reason the Land Rover Discovery Sport fails its MOT is tyres — present in 34.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 34.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 20.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 19.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 9.2% | Fractured or broken |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 1.5% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Land Rover Discovery Sport: what to check
These checks follow the Land Rover Discovery Sport’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 91.0% down to 88.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 34.3% of failed Land Rover Discovery Sport 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.3% of failed Land Rover Discovery Sport MOTs. 5.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.2% 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 20.9% of failed Land Rover Discovery Sport MOTs. 3.6% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 1.2% 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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.1% of failed Land Rover Discovery Sport MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 12.0% of failed Land Rover Discovery Sport MOTs. 2.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 Sport — 88.6% pass rate
- Land Rover Discovery — 82.4% pass rate
- Land Rover Defender — 77.8% pass rate
- Land Rover Range Rover — 86.3% pass rate
- Land Rover Freelander — 73.0% pass rate
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar — 90.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Land Rover Discovery Sport?
- 88.0% of Land Rover Discovery Sport MOT tests pass, based on 218,384 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Land Rover Discovery Sport?
- The most common reason the Land Rover Discovery Sport fails its MOT is tyres — present in 34.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Land Rover Discovery Sport?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Land Rover Discovery Sport are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Land Rover Discovery Sport?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 Sport'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.