2009 Land Rover Freelander: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Land Rover Freelander?

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

• Sub-frame2× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  15.3% All 2009 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Power steering pipes and hoses12× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  3.6% All 2009 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0% 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.

• Handbrake cables12.5× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  2.5% All 2009 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

• Body structure rust or damage2.1× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  3.4% All 2009 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2009 Land Rover Freelander MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  46% 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
  31% 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.

• Tyres
  27% 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
  12% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2009 Land Rover Freelander

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.

• EGR cooler coolant leak (2.2 diesel)

  2.2 diesel

  The 2.2 diesel’s EGR cooler can crack and leak coolant, bringing up a low coolant warning.

  At the viewing: Check the coolant level and ask about any low-coolant warnings.

  Source: Haynes: Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems (2006-2015)

• Haldex coupling oil leak

  All engines

  The seals on the Haldex four-wheel-drive coupling can fail and leak oil.

  At the viewing: Look for oil under the rear of the car.

  Source: Haynes: Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems (2006-2015)

• Power loss and stalling

  Diesel

  A faulty exhaust pressure sensor or a clogged fuel filter can make it sluggish or stall.

  At the viewing: Drive it properly and watch for warning messages or hesitation.

  Source: Haynes: Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems (2006-2015)

• Suspension, brake and heater recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered rear suspension fixings, rear brake caliper bolts, leaking fuel return pipes and an electric heater that could catch fire.

  At the viewing: Ask a Land Rover dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: Haynes: Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems (2006-2015)

• Clunk from the front over bumps

  All engines

  The front anti-roll bar link nuts can work loose and clunk.

  At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.

  Source: Haynes: Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems (2006-2015)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Land Rover Freelander

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

1. Has the EGR cooler been replaced, and does it lose coolant?
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Land Rover Freelander as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the power steering pipes and hoses? (Flagged at MOT 12× as often on the 2009 Land Rover Freelander as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the handbrake cables? (Flagged at MOT 12.5× as often on the 2009 Land Rover Freelander as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?