Land Rover Discovery Common Car Problems by Generation

At a Glance

The Land Rover Discovery has 72 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Series I (1989-1998) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 3.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.

Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →

Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Land Rover Discovery common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.

MOT Tests & Failures by Generation

Land Rover Discovery generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data

Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.

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Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.

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Browse Land Rover Discovery Generations

Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories

Series I

59 problems

1989–1998712K tests

Top issue: Body corrosion or damage

Series II

56 problems

1998–2004942K tests

Top issue: Shock absorber worn or leaking

Discovery 3

37 problems

2004–2009801K tests

Top issue: Electronic parking brake fault

Discovery 4

7 problems

2009–2016589K tests

Top issue: Propshaft fault

Discovery 5

MOT failure data available

2017–2025142K tests

Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition

Most Common Land Rover Discovery MOT Failures

Every reason Land Rover Discovery vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.

View:

#	Failure	Category	% of failures
1	Suspension joint or bush worn	Suspension	9.83%
2	Brake hydraulic component worn	Brakes	8.09%
3	Number plate lamp not working	Electrical	6.08%
4	Stop lamp not working	Electrical	5.56%
5	Wiper blades deteriorated	Bodywork	5.37%
6	Track rod end worn	Steering	4.82%
7	Tyre tread depth below limit	Tyres & Wheels	4.18%
8	Front lamp not working	Electrical	4.18%
9	Brake pads or linings worn	Brakes	4.04%
10	Headlamp aim defect	Electrical	3.70%
11	Tyre condition	Tyres & Wheels	3.35%
12	Exhaust system fault	Exhaust	2.53%
13	Suspension mounting corroded	Suspension	2.49%
14	Windscreen washer not working	Bodywork	2.08%
15	Rear lamp not working	Electrical	1.93%
16	Brake performance below minimum	Brakes	1.85%
17	Position lamp not working	Electrical	1.80%
18	Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged	Brakes	1.70%
19	Front suspension fault	Suspension	1.36%
20	Chassis condition	Bodywork	1.32%
21	Driveshaft fault	Transmission	1.16%
22	Body corrosion or damage	Bodywork	1.16%
23	Windscreen damage affecting view	Bodywork	1.09%
24	Fog lamp not working	Electrical	1.05%
25	Headlamp fault	Electrical	1.03%
26	Indicator fault	Electrical	1.00%
27	Shock absorber worn or leaking	Suspension	0.92%
28	Front suspension joint worn	Suspension	0.90%
29	Seat belt condition	Bodywork	0.89%
30	Ball joint dust cover split	Suspension	0.73%
31	Coil spring broken or corroded	Suspension	0.71%
32	Wheel bearing worn	Suspension	0.69%
33	Parking brake condition	Brakes	0.69%
34	Brake disc or drum worn	Brakes	0.67%
35	ABS fault	Brakes	0.64%
36	Flexible brake hose damaged	Brakes	0.62%
37	Horn not working	Electrical	0.56%
38	Airbag warning light on	Bodywork	0.55%
39	Mirror damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.46%
40	Vehicle structure corrosion	Bodywork	0.46%
41	Catalytic converter efficiency low	Exhaust	0.45%
42	Rear fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.40%
43	Drag link end worn	Steering	0.38%
44	Compression ignition emissions above threshold	Engine	0.35%
45	Brake pedal fault	Brakes	0.35%
46	Spring mounting corroded	Suspension	0.33%
47	Suspension linkage fault	Suspension	0.30%
48	Power steering pipe or hose leaking	Steering	0.28%
49	Parking brake performance below minimum	Brakes	0.28%
50	Battery loose or leaking	Electrical	0.24%
51	Rear suspension fault	Suspension	0.19%
52	Brake fluid leak	Brakes	0.19%
53	Spark ignition emissions above threshold	Engine	0.19%
54	Electronic stability control fault	Brakes	0.16%
55	Power steering pump fault	Steering	0.13%
56	Electrical switch fault	Electrical	0.13%
57	Steering rack fault	Steering	0.13%
58	Steering arm worn	Steering	0.12%
59	Subframe mounting corroded	Suspension	0.12%
60	Tyre size or type not matched	Tyres & Wheels	0.12%
61	Engine oil leak	Engine	0.11%
62	King pin or swivel pin worn	Suspension	0.10%
63	Rear reflector damaged or missing	Electrical	0.10%
64	Suspension arm worn or corroded	Suspension	0.10%
65	Brake pedal movement restricted	Brakes	0.09%
66	Brake caliper fault	Brakes	0.09%
67	Fuel pipe corroded or damaged	Fuel System	0.09%
68	Electrical wiring fault	Electrical	0.08%
69	Fuel cap damaged or missing	Fuel System	0.08%
70	Fuel tank corroded or leaking	Fuel System	0.08%
71	Steering box fault	Steering	0.07%
72	Steering free play excessive	Steering	0.07%
73	Brake lever fault	Brakes	0.06%
74	Tyre pressure monitoring system fault	Tyres & Wheels	0.06%
75	Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault	Brakes	0.06%
76	Propshaft fault	Transmission	0.06%
77	Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)	Exhaust	0.06%
78	Bonnet catch or hinge fault	Bodywork	0.06%
79	Headlamp levelling device fault	Electrical	0.05%
80	Tyre valve stem damaged	Tyres & Wheels	0.05%
81	Steering operation fault	Steering	0.05%
82	Fuel hose damaged or leaking	Fuel System	0.05%
83	Brake fluid level low or contaminated	Brakes	0.05%
84	Bonded suspension condition	Suspension	0.05%
85	Dashboard warning lamp fault	Electrical	0.05%
86	Body security fault	Bodywork	0.04%
87	Brake fluid warning light on	Brakes	0.04%
88	Steering lock fault	Steering	0.04%
89	Exhaust leak	Exhaust	0.04%
90	Front passenger door fault	Bodywork	0.04%
91	Anti-roll bar worn or corroded	Suspension	0.04%
92	Passenger seat fault	Bodywork	0.04%
93	Transmission oil leak	Exhaust	0.03%
94	Brake air or vacuum system fault	Brakes	0.03%
95	Driver seat fault	Bodywork	0.03%
96	Towbar fault	Bodywork	0.03%
97	Power steering ram fault	Steering	0.03%
98	Electronic parking brake fault	Brakes	0.03%
99	Handbrake lever fault	Brakes	0.03%
100	Bumper damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.03%
101	Steering coupling worn	Steering	0.03%
102	Suspension unit fault	Suspension	0.03%
103	Universal joint worn	Steering	0.02%
104	Handbrake cable fault	Brakes	0.02%
105	Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault	Brakes	0.02%
106	Spare wheel fault	Bodywork	0.02%
107	Steering column fault	Steering	0.02%
108	Driver door fault	Bodywork	0.02%
109	Headlamp washer not working	Electrical	0.02%
110	Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault	Brakes	0.02%
111	Hydraulic fluid leak	Exhaust	0.02%
112	Tie bar or rod worn or corroded	Suspension	0.02%
113	Stub axle worn	Suspension	0.02%
114	Brake back plate corroded or damaged	Brakes	0.01%
115	Driver airbag fault	Bodywork	0.01%
116	Steering damper fault	Steering	0.01%
117	Speedometer fault	Bodywork	0.01%
118	Steering wheel damaged or insecure	Steering	0.01%
119	Rear fog lamp warning light fault	Electrical	0.01%
120	Air suspension levelling valve fault	Suspension	<0.01%
121	Steering drive system fault	Steering	<0.01%
122	Vehicle floor corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
123	Tailgate damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
124	Additional braking device fault	Brakes	<0.01%
125	Brake servo fault	Brakes	<0.01%
126	Steering intermediate drop arm worn	Steering	<0.01%
127	Reversing lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
128	Electronic braking system fault	Brakes	<0.01%
129	Subframe corrosion or damage	Suspension	<0.01%
130	Boot lid damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
131	Outline marker lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
132	Suspension retaining or locking device fault	Suspension	<0.01%
133	Trailing arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
134	Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault	Suspension	<0.01%
135	Brake linkage mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
136	Front fog lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
137	Brake fluid reservoir fault	Brakes	<0.01%
138	Suspension rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
139	MacPherson strut worn	Suspension	<0.01%
140	Dip switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
141	Hydraulic brake cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
142	Suspension air bellows damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
143	Window damaged or won't operate	Bodywork	<0.01%
144	Undertray damaged or missing	Bodywork	<0.01%
145	Axle corroded or damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
146	Indicator warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
147	Body strengthening plate corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
148	Full power hydraulic brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
149	Main beam warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
150	Steering shaft fault	Steering	<0.01%
151	Access panel damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
152	Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient	Brakes	<0.01%
153	Mirror or camera fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
154	Steering lock stop fault	Steering	<0.01%
155	Step damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
156	Panhard rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
157	Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
158	Seat belt or padding damaged	Bodywork	<0.01%
159	Suspension coupling worn	Suspension	<0.01%
160	Engine mounting worn or broken	Bodywork	<0.01%
161	Seat belt anchorage fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
162	Loading door damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
163	Wheel hub fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
164	Radius arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
165	Brake master cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
166	Handbrake fails on gradient	Brakes	<0.01%
167	Torsion bar worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
168	Brake wheel cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
169	Axle beam corroded or cracked	Suspension	<0.01%
170	Torque or reaction arm worn	Suspension	<0.01%
171	Passenger airbag fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
172	Halfshaft fault	Transmission	<0.01%
173	Brake valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
174	Hazard warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
175	Daytime running lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
176	CV joint worn	Suspension	<0.01%
177	Seat belt pre-tensioner fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
178	Brake stationary pin worn	Brakes	<0.01%
179	Hand-operated brake valve condition	Brakes	<0.01%
180	Electric power steering fault	Steering	<0.01%
181	Transmission drive belt fault	Transmission	<0.01%
182	Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged	Exhaust	<0.01%
183	Load sensing valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
184	Leaf spring broken or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
185	Semaphore indicator fault	Electrical	<0.01%
186	Brake clevis joint worn	Brakes	<0.01%
187	Brake pedal linkage fault	Brakes	<0.01%
188	Passenger compartment corrosion	Bodywork	<0.01%
189	Dropside damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
190	Cab corrosion or damage	Bodywork	<0.01%
191	Brake relay lever fault	Brakes	<0.01%
192	Leaf spring eye worn or broken	Suspension	<0.01%
193	Reversing lamp switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
194	Air brake cylinder or actuator fault	Brakes	<0.01%
195	Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
196	Seat belt load limiter fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
197	Anchor bracket corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
198	Chain drive fault	Transmission	<0.01%
199	Footrest damaged or missing	Bodywork	<0.01%
200	Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
201	Leaf spring slipper worn	Suspension	<0.01%
202	Spring saddle corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
203	Speed limiter fault	Other	<0.01%

Showing all 203 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.

Land Rover Discovery MOT Failures by Category

Total MOT failure occurrences for the Land Rover Discovery, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.

2,657,198total items

Electrical744,06328.0%Brakes528,67419.9%Suspension504,59719.0%Bodywork366,51313.8%Tyres & Wheels206,3527.8%Steering166,1586.3%Exhaust83,0003.1%Transmission32,5471.2%Engine17,3780.7%Fuel System7,9150.3%Other10.0%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Land Rover Discovery problems?

Based on analysis of 3.2M Land Rover Discovery MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 72 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Body corrosion or damage". Brakes is the most common problem category.

Which Land Rover Discovery generation has the most problems?

The Land Rover Discovery Series I (1989-1998) (1989–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (59). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.

How is this data calculated?

We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.

Can I report a problem with my Land Rover Discovery?

Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Land Rover Discovery owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.

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