Used car guide

2003 Land Rover Discovery: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Land Rover Discoverys, from 4,984 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,984MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,700typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Land Rover Discoverys than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    31.7% All 2003 cars
    16.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.7× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    18.9% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.2× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    10.6% All 2003 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Transmission oil leaks4.1× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    7.4% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Steering box15× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    4.5% All 2003 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Tread depth: 6.8% here, against 17.4% of all 2003 cars. Tyre condition: 7.3% here, against 14.8% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    37% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    25% 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.

  • Tyres
    14% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,506Tyres 23%
20219,483Tyres 23%
20206,220Tyres 21%
20197,897Tyres 21%
20188,459Tyres 21%
20179,742Brakes 23%
20169,594Brakes 25%
20159,047Brakes 28%
20147,308Brakes 31%
20136,193Brakes 32%
20126,501Brakes 33%
20115,735Brakes 35%
20105,957Suspension 35%
20094,784Suspension 37%
20084,329Suspension 42%
20075,693Suspension 43%
20066,616Suspension 47%
20056,812Suspension 46%
20045,695Suspension 44%
20023,928Suspension 45%
20013,099Suspension 45%
20001,897Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Land Rover Discoverys registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score