2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

  16% All 2012 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

  6% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Suspension
  24% 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
  24% 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
  11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

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.

• Fuel system recalls

  All engines

  Several recalls covered fuel leaks and the fuel tank between 2013 and 2019.

  At the viewing: Sniff for fuel and ask a Land Rover dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Evoque Mk1 reliability

• Rear suspension clunks

  All engines

  Suspension knocks are a common and costly fault, and there were suspension recalls in 2014 and 2016.

  At the viewing: Drive over speed bumps and listen for thuds from the rear.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Evoque Mk1 reliability

• Infotainment and electrical faults

  All engines

  Electrical faults are the most common owner complaint, and the touchscreen is often the culprit.

  At the viewing: Try every screen function, pair your phone and check for warning lights.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Evoque Mk1 reliability

• Cambelt due every 10 years

  All engines

  All Evoque engines use a cambelt. If it's due, budget for the change.

  At the viewing: Look for a receipt for the cambelt in the history.

  If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic

  Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Evoque Mk1 reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

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

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Has any suspension work been done, and were the recalls done?
3. Have there been any electrical or screen faults?
4. When was the cambelt last changed?
5. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as on other cars the same age.)