Used car guide

1997 Land Rover Range Rover: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Land Rover Range Rovers, from 463 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 463 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

463MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
5,000typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Land Rover Range Rovers than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Ball joint dust cover4.1× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    13.6% All 1997 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1% of all 1997 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.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    9.1% All 1997 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.4% of all 1997 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.

By area

The share of 1997 Land Rover Range Rover MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    30% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% 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.

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    16% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    12% 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.

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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%
1996338Suspension 40%
1995284Suspension 32%
1994355Oil and fluid leaks 30%
1993320Oil and fluid leaks 27%
1992166Lights and electrics 25%
1991183Lights and electrics 24%
1990164Oil and fluid leaks 26%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Land Rover Range Rovers registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score