Used car guide

2003 Land Rover Freelander: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Land Rover Freelanders, from 2,254 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,254MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

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

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    36% All 2003 cars
    18.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    12.9% All 2003 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    9.9% All 2003 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    9.7% All 2003 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.4× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    7.7% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.1% 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.

Better than most

Headlights: 4.7% here, against 12.1% of all 2003 cars.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    52% 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.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

Looking at a Land Rover Freelander?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201411,526Suspension 24%
201312,998Suspension 35%
201210,306Suspension 38%
201112,058Suspension 38%
201013,462Suspension 44%
20099,346Suspension 46%
20089,907Suspension 51%
200712,298Suspension 53%
20064,995Suspension 53%
20054,447Suspension 52%
20043,597Brakes 51%
20021,682Suspension 51%
2001849Brakes 48%

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