Used car guide

2011 Land Rover Freelander: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Land Rover Freelanders, from 12,058 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,058MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Land Rover Freelanders than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    10.7% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints1.7× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    6.4% All 2011 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.9× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    2.8% All 2011 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.6% of all 2011 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

Tyre condition: 7.2% here, against 14.9% of all 2011 cars. Coil springs: 3.5% here, against 10.3% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • Tyres
    26% 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 electrics
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% 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?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201411,526Suspension 24%
201312,998Suspension 35%
201210,306Suspension 38%
201013,462Suspension 44%
20099,346Suspension 46%
20089,907Suspension 51%
200712,298Suspension 53%
20064,995Suspension 53%
20054,447Suspension 52%
20043,597Brakes 51%
20032,254Brakes 52%
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 2011 Land Rover Freelanders registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score