Used car guide

2004 Land Rover Discovery: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Land Rover Discoverys, from 5,695 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,695MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
7,200typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Land Rover Discoverys than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.5× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    18% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.2% of all 2004 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    27.2% All 2004 cars
    15.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2004 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    9.4% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.8% of all 2004 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 leaks3.5× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    5.9% All 2004 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2004 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.

  • Drag link end11× usual
    Land Rover Discovery
    3.3% All 2004 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.1% of all 2004 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. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Better than most

Tread depth: 9.1% here, against 18.7% of all 2004 cars. Coil springs: 4.4% here, against 10.9% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% 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 leaks
    31% 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.

  • 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
    24% 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
    16% 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.

Looking at a Land Rover Discovery?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
20034,984Suspension 42%
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 2004 Land Rover Discoverys registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score