1992 Land Rover Discovery: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1992 Land Rover Discoverys, from 139 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 139 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 1992 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Lights and electrics30% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Oil and fluid leaks30% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
- Brakes29% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Suspension27% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Rust and bodywork25% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Steering17% of testsRough price £100–£450
At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 248 | Tyres 12% |
| 2022 | 6,506 | Tyres 23% |
| 2021 | 9,483 | Tyres 23% |
| 2020 | 6,220 | Tyres 21% |
| 2019 | 7,897 | Tyres 21% |
| 2018 | 8,459 | Tyres 21% |
| 2017 | 9,742 | Brakes 23% |
| 2016 | 9,594 | Brakes 25% |
| 2015 | 9,047 | Brakes 28% |
| 2014 | 7,308 | Brakes 31% |
| 2013 | 6,193 | Brakes 32% |
| 2012 | 6,501 | Brakes 33% |
| 2011 | 5,735 | Brakes 35% |
| 2010 | 5,957 | Suspension 35% |
| 2009 | 4,784 | Suspension 37% |
| 2008 | 4,329 | Suspension 42% |
| 2007 | 5,693 | Suspension 43% |
| 2006 | 6,616 | Suspension 47% |
| 2005 | 6,812 | Suspension 46% |
| 2004 | 5,695 | Suspension 44% |
| 2003 | 4,984 | Suspension 42% |
| 2002 | 3,928 | Suspension 45% |
| 2001 | 3,099 | Suspension 45% |
| 2000 | 1,897 | Suspension 44% |
| 1999 | 1,758 | Suspension 43% |
| 1998 | 993 | Lights and electrics 38% |
| 1997 | 921 | Lights and electrics 37% |
| 1996 | 791 | Lights and electrics 37% |
| 1995 | 710 | Lights and electrics 37% |
| 1994 | 553 | Oil and fluid leaks 38% |
| 1993 | 308 | Oil and fluid leaks 36% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1992 Land Rover Discoverys registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score