2019 Land Rover Discovery: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Land Rover Discovery?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Land Rover Discovery than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Windscreen1.7× usual
  Land Rover Discovery

  2.9% All 2019 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2019 Land Rover Discovery MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  21% 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.

• Brakes
  16% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  3% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2019 Land Rover Discovery

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Engine failures (SD4 diesel)

  SD4 diesel

  Some SD4 engines have been replaced after metal fragments, apparently from failed piston rings, were found in the oil.

  At the viewing: Ask for the service history and look for an oil analysis or engine work.

  Source: Auto Express: used Land Rover Discovery (Mk5, 2017 on) review

• Recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered fuel leaks on the 2.0 petrol (built May 2016 to Jan 2018), emissions software, passenger airbags and middle-row seat fixings.

  At the viewing: Ask a Land Rover dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used Land Rover Discovery (Mk5, 2017 on) review

• Vibration at 65–75mph

  All engines

  An out-of-balance front driveshaft can cause vibration at motorway speeds.

  At the viewing: Feel for vibration between 65 and 75mph.

  Source: Auto Express: used Land Rover Discovery (Mk5, 2017 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Land Rover Discovery

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the engine had any major work or been replaced?
2. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2019 Land Rover Discovery as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?