Land Rover Freelander MOT pass rate and common problems
73.0% of 185,315 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests pass.
The Freelander passes 73.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Land Rover models (84.7%).
The Land Rover Freelander passes 73.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Land Rover Freelander?
This is the average across every Land Rover Freelander 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 drops sharply with age: the Land Rover Freelander tested at 6–10 years pass 86.5% of the time, compared with just 65.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 86.5% | 9,338 | 83,116 miles |
| 10–15 years | 78.1% | 93,652 | 109,359 miles |
| 15+ years | 65.6% | 82,321 | 133,619 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Land Rover Freelander
The most common reason the Land Rover Freelander fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 57.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 57.3% | Not working |
| Suspension | 47.8% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 44.8% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Steering | 17.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 14.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 10.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 1.2% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Land Rover Freelander: what to check
These checks follow the Land Rover Freelander’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 Freelander comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 78.1% to 65.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 74.3% down to 67.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 57.3% of failed Land Rover Freelander MOTs. 28.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.8% at 6–10 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 47.8% of failed Land Rover Freelander MOTs. 24.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 2.6% at 6–10 years.
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 44.8% of failed Land Rover Freelander MOTs. 22.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.9% at 6–10 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. Steering
Recorded in 17.0% of failed Land Rover Freelander MOTs.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 14.6% of failed Land Rover Freelander MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 9.4% 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.
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 Discovery — 82.4% 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 Range Rover Velar — 90.9% pass rate
- Land Rover 88 — 75.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Land Rover Freelander?
- 73.0% of Land Rover Freelander MOT tests pass, based on 185,315 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Land Rover Freelander?
- The most common reason the Land Rover Freelander fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 57.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Land Rover Freelander?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Land Rover Freelander are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 28.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.8% at 6–10 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Land Rover Freelander?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; steering; bodywork and corrosion. 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 Freelander'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.