Used car guide

2001 Land Rover Range Rover: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Land Rover Range Rovers, from 1,090 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,090MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
5,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Land Rover Range Rovers than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    30.4% All 2001 cars
    17.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.6× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    13.6% All 2001 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.3% of all 2001 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks3.2× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    6.8% All 2001 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drag link end9.3× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    3.7% All 2001 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2001 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. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Anti-lock braking system3.5× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover
    4.5% All 2001 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Number plates: 2.8% here, against 7.5% of all 2001 cars. Braking performance: 3% here, against 7.4% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 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
    37% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% 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.

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    22% 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
    18% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,884Tyres 21%
20213,203Tyres 17%
20203,537Tyres 19%
20194,778Tyres 20%
20185,252Tyres 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%
2000839Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Land Rover Range Rovers registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score