2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Ball joint dust cover6.8× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover Sport

  12.2% All 2015 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.7% of all 2015 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover Sport

  5.9% All 2015 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

• Transmission oil leaks6.2× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover Sport

  3.7% All 2015 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2015 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.

• Airbag warning light11.3× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover Sport

  3.4% All 2015 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 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
  25% 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
  23% 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
  22% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  8% 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
  7% 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
  6% 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 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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.

• Leaks from the tailgate and sunroof

  All engines

  Poor panel fit is common, and leaks from the tailgate and sunroof can play havoc with the electrics.

  At the viewing: Look for uneven panel gaps, damp carpets and water marks, and test all the electrics.

  Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

• Many recalls (22)

  All engines

  There have been 22 recalls, covering wiring that can chafe, seatbelt pre-tensioners, loose wheel nuts, doors unlatching, airbags, fuel leaks, brake servo failure and the instrument cluster.

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

  Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

• Timing chain due every five years (some engines)

  Check which engine

  Auto Express gives a timing chain change interval of five years or 140,000 miles, about £600 at a dealer with the water pump.

  At the viewing: Ask for service records showing the work was done on time.

  Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

• Tyres that can’t be repaired

  Cars on original tyres

  The original Continental tyres have a foam layer to cut noise, so punctures can’t be repaired.

  At the viewing: See which tyres it has and how much tread is left.

  Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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

1. Has it had any water leaks or electrical faults?
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 6.8× as often on the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 6.2× as often on the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?