Used car guide

2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sports, from 3,870 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,870MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sports than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover Sport
    16.2% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.1× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover Sport
    6.9% All 2009 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.5% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wheel bearings2.8× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover Sport
    6.2% All 2009 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Prop shaft38× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover Sport
    3.8% All 2009 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Land Rover Range Rover Sport
    9.1% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 1.4% here, against 8.4% of all 2009 cars. Headlights: 1.4% here, against 8.3% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    10% 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
20221,639Tyres 19%
20212,885Tyres 20%
20206,894Tyres 21%
201911,086Tyres 22%
201810,701Tyres 20%
201710,150Brakes 22%
201610,641Suspension 24%
201510,606Brakes 25%
20148,397Brakes 25%
20136,127Brakes 29%
20125,605Brakes 32%
20114,856Brakes 32%
20104,895Brakes 34%
20083,656Brakes 36%
20074,300Brakes 37%
20064,682Brakes 38%
20052,837Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sports registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score