Land Rover Freelander: what fails at MOT
166,000 MOT tests on the Land Rover Freelander in 2024, counted. 32.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
32.2% of Land Rover Freelander tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 37.1%, so the Freelander does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.5% of tests), suspension (8.3% of tests) and brakes (7% of tests). It fails on steering more often than most cars its age.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 17,023 | 19.8% | 27.7% | 83,500 65,100 to 104,400 |
| 2013 | 19,578 | 23.9% | 30.6% | 95,700 75,500 to 116,900 |
| 2012 | 15,201 | 25.8% | 33.4% | 101,300 79,700 to 124,800 |
| 2011 | 18,416 | 26.0% | 36.1% | 112,500 90,800 to 135,900 |
| 2010 | 20,494 | 32.8% | 38.6% | 119,900 96,400 to 144,300 |
| 2009 | 14,681 | 33.2% | 39.8% | 126,600 102,400 to 150,400 |
| 2008 | 16,232 | 37.0% | 41.5% | 135,200 111,800 to 161,000 |
| 2007 | 20,940 | 38.0% | 41.5% | 140,600 116,400 to 166,000 |
| 2006 | 8,800 | 47.4% | 42.4% | 127,100 105,000 to 150,400 |
| 2005 | 8,083 | 47.8% | 42.2% | 126,200 103,400 to 149,500 |
| 2004 | 6,685 | 46.4% | 42.3% | 129,400 104,900 to 151,700 |
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 Freelander tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Freelander | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.5% | 11.7% |
| Suspension | 8.3% | 9.8% |
| Brakes | 7.0% | 6.7% |
| Steering More than most | 4.1% | 2.1% |
| Tyres Less than most | 2.9% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 2.5% | 4.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 2.4% | 4.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.1% | 3.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end3.3%
- Side light2.5%
- Brake light2.4%
- Headlamp aim2.4%
- Headlamp2.0%
- Tyre1.7%
- Linkage ball joints1.6%
- Brake pads1.6%
- Brake test1.6%
- Brake test1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
- Side light: not working2.3%
- Brake light: not working2.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.2%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.2%
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 edge11.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.5%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened5.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.2%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.8%
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
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “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?”
Check a Land Rover Freelander's own MOT record
Looking at a Freelander? 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.