Used car guide

2012 Land Rover Freelander: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Land Rover Freelanders, from 10,306 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,306MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,300typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Land Rover Freelanders than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod ends2.1× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    10.4% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.4% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.7× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    8.6% All 2012 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    Land Rover Freelander
    8.8% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 7% here, against 14.5% of all 2012 cars. Coil springs: 3.3% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 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
    24% 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
    19% 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
    6% 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
    6% 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%
201112,058Suspension 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 2012 Land Rover Freelanders registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score