Land Rover Discovery: what fails at MOT
243,000 MOT tests on the Land Rover Discovery in 2024, counted. 20.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
20.3% of Land Rover Discovery tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27%, so the Discovery does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (4.1% of tests), suspension (4% of tests) and brakes (3.7% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,972 | 11.6% | 10.9% | 31,000 23,500 to 40,700 |
| 2020 | 13,116 | 11.0% | 11.5% | 42,700 32,000 to 55,700 |
| 2019 | 16,924 | 10.8% | 13.4% | 52,000 40,400 to 66,900 |
| 2018 | 18,879 | 10.0% | 15.6% | 61,200 47,400 to 77,200 |
| 2017 | 21,944 | 12.7% | 18.2% | 67,600 53,800 to 82,700 |
| 2016 | 16,458 | 17.1% | 21.3% | 80,100 62,800 to 100,000 |
| 2015 | 15,146 | 18.6% | 24.4% | 93,200 73,800 to 114,800 |
| 2014 | 12,570 | 19.3% | 27.7% | 100,700 81,100 to 122,500 |
| 2013 | 10,771 | 23.4% | 30.6% | 111,700 91,200 to 133,100 |
| 2012 | 11,373 | 23.8% | 33.4% | 120,400 98,400 to 143,600 |
| 2011 | 10,636 | 23.8% | 36.1% | 128,900 105,300 to 151,400 |
| 2010 | 11,438 | 25.4% | 38.6% | 135,200 111,600 to 159,800 |
| 2009 | 8,945 | 29.2% | 39.8% | 140,500 117,100 to 163,300 |
| 2008 | 8,347 | 30.1% | 41.5% | 146,500 124,700 to 172,900 |
| 2007 | 11,179 | 32.2% | 41.5% | 149,500 125,900 to 175,400 |
| 2006 | 13,179 | 33.9% | 42.4% | 158,900 134,400 to 185,000 |
| 2005 | 12,974 | 32.5% | 42.2% | 163,300 137,600 to 191,200 |
| 2004 | 9,103 | 32.9% | 42.3% | 150,900 122,900 to 179,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Land Rover Discovery tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Discovery | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 4.1% | 7.5% |
| Suspension Less than most | 4.0% | 6.0% |
| Brakes | 3.7% | 4.6% |
| Tyres Less than most | 2.6% | 4.2% |
| Body and structure | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.7% | 3.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.9% | 2.2% |
| Steering | 0.7% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.0%
- Brake pads1.1%
- Side light1.1%
- Brake pipes1.0%
- Headlamp aim0.9%
- Number plate light0.9%
- Brake light0.8%
- Wipers0.8%
- Driveshaft joint0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
- Side light: not working1.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.8%
- Brake light: not working0.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.6%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)2.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.9%
- Flexible brake hoses: has slight corrosion to ferrule1.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Land Rover Discovery's own MOT record
Looking at a Discovery? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.