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Land Rover reliability and common MOT problems by model

Land Rover shows a 16.8% combined MOT failure rate across 1,067,263 tests in Motintel data. Range Rover Velar has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 10.7%. Freelander deserves extra checking at 22.2%.

Data sources: DVSA MOT records, official recall records, and MOT fault wording snapshots (2026-04-27, 2026-04-29, rfr_codes_2025-05-12, failure items 2023). Search-indexed model pages must clear 20,000 MOT tests and 10,000 vehicles.

Land Rover combined failure rate: 16.8% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #19 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest).

Which Land Rover models look strongest?

Range Rover Velar (10.7%), Discovery Sport (12.3%), Range Rover Evoque (12.5%), Range Rover Sport (14.8%), Range Rover (16.7%)

Which Land Rover models need extra caution?

Freelander (22.2%), Defender (21.7%), Discovery (19.4%), Range Rover (16.7%), Range Rover Sport (14.8%)

Most reliable Land Rover models in MOT data

#ModelMOT failure rateTestsVehicles
1 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 10.7% 31,779 tests 26,958 vehicles
2 Land Rover Discovery Sport 12.3% 104,415 tests 88,114 vehicles
3 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 12.5% 151,835 tests 126,300 vehicles
4 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 14.8% 139,815 tests 115,468 vehicles
5 Land Rover Range Rover 16.7% 106,059 tests 86,123 vehicles

Land Rover models with the highest MOT failure rates

#ModelMOT failure rateTestsVehicles
1 Land Rover Freelander 22.2% 162,573 tests 124,509 vehicles
2 Land Rover Defender 21.7% 132,857 tests 102,611 vehicles
3 Land Rover Discovery 19.4% 173,451 tests 135,491 vehicles
4 Land Rover Range Rover 16.7% 106,059 tests 86,123 vehicles
5 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 14.8% 139,815 tests 115,468 vehicles

Common Land Rover MOT problem areas

#Problem areaMOT notesModels affectedWhat to checkHigh-rate examples
1 Corrosion and structure 337,511 MOT notes 8 models Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Freelander, Land Rover Discovery
2 Suspension and steering 170,049 MOT notes 8 models Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Freelander, Land Rover Defender
3 Emissions, engine, and exhaust 84,555 MOT notes 8 models Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Range Rover
4 Lights and electrical 78,680 MOT notes 8 models Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Freelander, Land Rover Defender
5 Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors 67,248 MOT notes 8 models Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Freelander
6 Tyres and wheels 20,324 MOT notes 8 models Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Land Rover Range Rover Sport

All Land Rover model reports

Model MOT tests Vehicles Failure rate
Discovery 173,451 135,491 19.4%
Freelander 162,573 124,509 22.2%
Range Rover Evoque 151,835 126,300 12.5%
Range Rover Sport 139,815 115,468 14.8%
Defender 132,857 102,611 21.7%
Range Rover 106,059 86,123 16.7%
Discovery Sport 104,415 88,114 12.3%
Range Rover Velar 31,779 26,958 10.7%
Range Rover Evoque R Dyn S D A limited data 6,904 5,949 9.7%
Range Rover Evoque R Dy Se D A limited data 5,361 4,583 10.2%
Discovery Sport R Dyn Se D A limited data 3,876 3,237 11.2%
R Rover Evoque R Dyn Hse D A limited data 3,509 2,963 9.6%
Range Rover Evoque S D Auto limited data 3,424 2,900 9.1%
Discovery Sport R Dyn Hse D A limited data 3,098 2,571 11.4%
R Rover Evoque First Ed D A limited data 3,077 2,598 9.0%
Discovery Hse Sd6 Auto limited data 2,711 2,311 8.2%
Unclassified limited data 2,565 2,086 17.2%
Discovery Sport Se D Auto limited data 2,437 2,045 11.9%
88 limited data 2,207 1,755 20.6%
Discovery Luxury Hse Sd6 Auto limited data 2,201 1,858 9.5%
Discovery Sport R Dyn S D A limited data 2,105 1,745 13.5%
Range Rover Evoque Se D Auto limited data 1,891 1,609 10.7%
Range Rover Evoque R Dyn D 4x2 limited data 1,803 1,504 13.8%
Discovery Landmark Sd6 Auto limited data 1,800 1,584 8.3%
R Rover Evoque R Dyn S D 4x2 limited data 1,748 1,463 12.1%
Discovery Hse Sdv6 Auto limited data 1,705 1,470 9.0%
Discovery Sport S D Auto limited data 1,629 1,361 11.8%
Range Rover Evoque R Dyn Se A limited data 1,555 1,365 7.5%
Range Rover Evoque D 4x2 limited data 1,531 1,279 12.5%
Range Rover Evoque R Dyn S A limited data 1,476 1,297 7.7%
Range Rover Evoque S D 4x2 limited data 1,338 1,117 11.5%
Discovery Sport Hse D Auto limited data 1,254 1,072 11.2%
Range Rover Evoque R Dyn Hse A limited data 1,161 1,006 6.7%
Discovery Luxury Hse Sdv6 Auto limited data 1,109 959 8.6%
Defender First Edition D Auto limited data 1,004 871 7.9%

Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.