2010 Land Rover Freelander: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Land Rover Freelanders, from 13,462 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Land Rover Freelanders than on all cars registered in 2010.
- Sub-frame1.8× usualLand Rover Freelander12.7% All 2010 cars7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Track rod ends1.8× usualLand Rover Freelander9.9% All 2010 cars5.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.7% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usualLand Rover Freelander7.5% All 2010 cars4%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Power steering pipes and hoses10× usualLand Rover Freelander3% All 2010 cars0.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Tyre condition: 7% here, against 15.2% of all 2010 cars. Exhaust system: 1.3% here, against 7.6% of all 2010 cars.
By area
The share of 2010 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension44% 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.
- 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.
- Tyres26% 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.
- Lights and electrics25% 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 leaks8% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 11,526 | Suspension 24% |
| 2013 | 12,998 | Suspension 35% |
| 2012 | 10,306 | Suspension 38% |
| 2011 | 12,058 | Suspension 38% |
| 2009 | 9,346 | Suspension 46% |
| 2008 | 9,907 | Suspension 51% |
| 2007 | 12,298 | Suspension 53% |
| 2006 | 4,995 | Suspension 53% |
| 2005 | 4,447 | Suspension 52% |
| 2004 | 3,597 | Brakes 51% |
| 2003 | 2,254 | Brakes 52% |
| 2002 | 1,682 | Suspension 51% |
| 2001 | 849 | Brakes 48% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Land Rover Freelanders registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score