Used car guide

1990 Land Rover Range Rover: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1990 Land Rover Range Rovers, from 164 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 164 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

164MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 73%)
3,700typical miles a year
26%had oil and fluid leaks flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1990 Land Rover Range Rover MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% 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.

  • Suspension
    23% 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
    21% 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.

  • 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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.

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

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

Looking at a Land Rover Range Rover?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023328Tyres 15%
20224,049Tyres 21%
20214,057Tyres 18%
20203,588Tyres 20%
20194,782Tyres 20%
20185,253Tyres 19%
20175,310Brakes 21%
20165,338Brakes 23%
20156,042Tyres 21%
20145,624Brakes 24%
20138,949Tyres 26%
20124,403Suspension 37%
20113,693Suspension 43%
20103,189Suspension 43%
20092,472Suspension 43%
20082,318Suspension 49%
20073,256Suspension 48%
20062,832Suspension 49%
20052,356Suspension 47%
20042,155Suspension 51%
20031,597Suspension 50%
20021,062Suspension 46%
20011,090Suspension 37%
2000839Suspension 41%
1999596Suspension 38%
1998530Suspension 36%
1997463Suspension 36%
1996338Suspension 40%
1995284Suspension 32%
1994355Oil and fluid leaks 30%
1993320Oil and fluid leaks 27%
1992166Lights and electrics 25%
1991183Lights and electrics 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1990 Land Rover Range Rovers registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score