Land Rover Discovery Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Land Rover Discovery passes its MOT first time on 71.3% of tests, 7.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (63.4%). That puts it ahead of 81% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2011 Discovery does best (beats 92% of cars) and the 2001 worst (beats 72%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 88%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 59%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension arm bushes2.0×as often as a typical car

Chassis condition2.4×as often as a typical car

Brake pipes1.4×as often as a typical car

Wheel bearings1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Land Rover DiscoveryTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 71%

Beats 83%

Beats 65%

Beats 72%

Beats 71%

Beats 75%

Beats 73%

Beats 70%

Beats 72%

Beats 73%

Beats 72%

Beats 78%

Beats 82%

Beats 81%

Beats 82%

Beats 74%

Beats 77%

Beats 79%

Beats 84%

Beats 91%

Beats 92%

Beats 90%

Beats 87%

Beats 90%

Beats 89%

Beats 78%

Beats 83%

Beats 88%

Beats 88%

Beats 78%

Beats 59%

Beats 42%

Beats 77%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	2009–2023	614,650	79.7%	Beats 88%	A
2.7 Diesel	2004–2012	333,604	63.0%	Beats 79%	B
2.5 Diesel	1991–2010	319,097	61.5%	Beats 77%	B
2.0 Diesel	2017–2022	48,589	83.8%	Beats 59%	C
1.5 Hybrid	2020–2023	7,782	83.1%	Beats 18%	E
4.0 Petrol	2000–2003	5,880	61.2%	Beats 73%	B
3.0 Petrol	2017–2018	3,069	84.5%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	2018–2019	2,412	84.8%	Beats 58%	C
4.4 Petrol	2005–2005	2,208	65.5%	Beats 88%	A
3.9 Petrol	1999–1999	1,332	61.6%	Beats 67%	B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Brakes: 9.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

11.7% vs 16.8%

Suspension

10.0% vs 13.2%

Brakes

9.1% vs 10.6%

Body & structure

6.1% vs 6.0%

Tyres

4.4% vs 7.5%

Visibility

3.8% vs 6.1%

Steering

2.8% vs 3.2%

Emissions & leaks

2.2% vs 5.0%

Seat belts & airbags

1.9% vs 2.1%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Suspension arm bushes 2.0× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Wheel bearings 1.7× typical
Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Brake pads
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Land Rover DiscoveryTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Suspension arm bushes	3.3%	1.6%	2.0×
Sidelights	3.0%	4.3%	0.7×
Tyre damage & cracking	2.8%	3.8%	0.7×
Headlight aim	2.7%	4.7%	0.6×
Brake pads	2.4%	2.4%	1.0×
Brake lights	2.3%	3.1%	0.7×
Brake pipes	2.3%	1.6%	1.4×
Number plate lights	1.9%	2.1%	0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units	1.8%	3.1%	0.6×
Windscreen wipers	1.8%	2.7%	0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	56.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	27.1
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	23.1
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm	21.0
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded	20.4
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	20.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	17.3
A tyre seriously damaged	17.2

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Land Rover Discovery2 engines88.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	2,621	89.5%	Beats 91%	A
1.5 Hybrid	1,033	85.5%	Beats 24%	D

2022 Land Rover Discovery3 engines85.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	5,765	88.7%	Beats 83%	A
2.0 Diesel	3,813	83.3%	Beats 8%	E
1.5 Hybrid	2,117	81.6%	Beats 5%	E

2021 Land Rover Discovery3 engines85.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	12,658	88.7%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Diesel	10,344	83.4%	Beats 23%	D
1.5 Hybrid	3,497	83.0%	Beats 25%	D

2020 Land Rover Discovery3 engines86.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	18,948	87.2%	Beats 83%	A
2.0 Diesel	3,261	84.7%	Beats 53%	C
1.5 Hybrid	1,135	83.8%	Beats 31%	D

2019 Land Rover Discovery3 engines87.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	31,559	87.4%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Diesel	5,553	84.8%	Beats 67%	B
2.0 Petrol	1,278	85.2%	Beats 58%	C

2018 Land Rover Discovery4 engines86.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	39,038	86.7%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Diesel	9,129	84.1%	Beats 69%	B
3.0 Petrol	1,233	85.8%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Petrol	1,134	84.4%	Beats 57%	C

2017 Land Rover Discovery3 engines84.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	49,282	84.6%	Beats 86%	A
2.0 Diesel	16,489	83.5%	Beats 74%	B
3.0 Petrol	1,836	83.7%	Beats 67%	B

2016 Land Rover Discovery1 engine81.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	77,458	81.5%	Beats 78%	B

2015 Land Rover Discovery1 engine81.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	83,144	81.7%	Beats 89%	A

2014 Land Rover Discovery1 engine79.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	67,175	79.4%	Beats 90%	A

2013 Land Rover Discovery1 engine75.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	57,832	75.9%	Beats 87%	A

2012 Land Rover Discovery2 engines74.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	60,538	74.4%	Beats 90%	A
2.7 Diesel	1,266	74.2%	Beats 90%	A

2011 Land Rover Discovery2 engines73.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	53,446	73.1%	Beats 91%	A
2.7 Diesel	1,618	75.4%	Beats 95%	A

2010 Land Rover Discovery3 engines70.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	42,087	70.9%	Beats 91%	A
2.7 Diesel	16,629	71.2%	Beats 92%	A
2.5 Diesel	1,001	69.0%	Beats 85%	A

2009 Land Rover Discovery2 engines66.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Diesel	34,591	65.5%	Beats 80%	A
3.0 Diesel	13,099	70.4%	Beats 92%	A

2008 Land Rover Discovery1 engine63.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Diesel	47,907	63.9%	Beats 79%	B

2007 Land Rover Discovery1 engine62.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Diesel	66,915	62.5%	Beats 77%	B

2006 Land Rover Discovery1 engine60.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Diesel	76,998	60.5%	Beats 74%	B

2005 Land Rover Discovery2 engines62.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Diesel	75,547	62.3%	Beats 81%	A
4.4 Petrol	2,208	65.5%	Beats 88%	A

2004 Land Rover Discovery2 engines61.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	52,768	61.5%	Beats 80%	A
2.7 Diesel	12,133	62.5%	Beats 83%	A

2003 Land Rover Discovery2 engines62.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	59,015	62.0%	Beats 82%	A
4.0 Petrol	1,455	63.6%	Beats 82%	A

2002 Land Rover Discovery2 engines60.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	49,207	60.4%	Beats 78%	B
4.0 Petrol	1,415	61.8%	Beats 76%	B

2001 Land Rover Discovery2 engines59.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	41,578	59.2%	Beats 72%	B
4.0 Petrol	1,519	60.0%	Beats 70%	B

2000 Land Rover Discovery2 engines60.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	27,841	60.0%	Beats 73%	B
4.0 Petrol	1,491	59.3%	Beats 65%	B

1999 Land Rover Discovery2 engines60.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	24,288	60.8%	Beats 72%	B
3.9 Petrol	1,332	61.6%	Beats 67%	B

1998 Land Rover Discovery1 engine61.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	14,416	61.3%	Beats 70%	B

1997 Land Rover Discovery1 engine63.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	13,876	63.6%	Beats 73%	B

1996 Land Rover Discovery1 engine64.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	11,455	64.9%	Beats 75%	B

1995 Land Rover Discovery1 engine64.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	10,037	64.7%	Beats 71%	B

1994 Land Rover Discovery1 engine66.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	7,287	66.2%	Beats 72%	B

1993 Land Rover Discovery1 engine64.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	3,621	64.8%	Beats 65%	B

1992 Land Rover Discovery1 engine70.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,601	70.8%	Beats 83%	A

1991 Land Rover Discovery1 engine68.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,106	68.9%	Beats 71%	B

FAQ

What is the Land Rover Discovery MOT pass rate?

71.3% of MOT tests on the Land Rover Discovery were passed first time, based on 1,338,623 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1991–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 63.4% of the time.

Is the Land Rover Discovery reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 81% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Land Rover Discovery year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2011 Discovery does best for its age and mileage: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 2001 does worst: it beats 72%.

Which Land Rover Discovery engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 88% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 59%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Land Rover Discovery?

The most common failure items are suspension arm bushes, sidelights, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 2.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Land Rover Discovery reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ