Land Rover Discovery MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 155,716 MOT tests on the Land Rover Discovery carried out in 2023. 27% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Discoverys passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1990 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2011 models did best (73% passed, +10.2 points against the average for 12-year-old cars), while 1992 models fared worst (67%, −0.9 points). Tested cars had covered 111,996 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 10.4% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 155,716
- First-time pass rate
- 73%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +1.6 points
- Average mileage at test
- 111,996
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Discovery?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Discovery MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 553 | 92% | 91% | +1.6 points | 26,997 |
| 2020 | 6,194 | 88% | 88% | +0.1 points | 34,330 |
| 2019 | 7,989 | 88% | 86% | +1.4 points | 44,722 |
| 2018 | 8,497 | 86% | 84% | +1.8 points | 53,478 |
| 2017 | 9,940 | 85% | 82% | +2.8 points | 60,535 |
| 2016 | 9,913 | 81% | 79% | +2.1 points | 74,427 |
| 2015 | 9,374 | 80% | 75% | +4.7 points | 86,923 |
| 2014 | 7,591 | 78% | 72% | +6.2 points | 95,852 |
| 2013 | 6,516 | 75% | 68% | +6.9 points | 107,358 |
| 2012 | 7,033 | 74% | 66% | +8.8 points | 113,951 |
| 2011 | 6,260 | 73% | 63% | +10.2 points | 122,449 |
| 2010 | 6,794 | 71% | 60% | +10.1 points | 129,900 |
| 2009 | 5,485 | 67% | 59% | +7.6 points | 134,567 |
| 2008 | 5,432 | 64% | 57% | +7.0 points | 143,912 |
| 2007 | 7,457 | 63% | 57% | +6.3 points | 147,641 |
| 2006 | 8,600 | 62% | 56% | +5.3 points | 154,637 |
| 2005 | 8,626 | 63% | 56% | +7.0 points | 159,459 |
| 2004 | 6,980 | 63% | 56% | +7.5 points | 147,530 |
| 2003 | 6,259 | 63% | 57% | +6.8 points | 145,382 |
| 2002 | 5,142 | 63% | 58% | +5.5 points | 151,601 |
| 2001 | 4,055 | 61% | 59% | +2.8 points | 151,444 |
| 2000 | 2,705 | 64% | 61% | +3.8 points | 156,484 |
| 1999 | 2,340 | 66% | 62% | +3.2 points | 155,798 |
| 1998 | 1,334 | 66% | 64% | +1.8 points | 157,272 |
| 1997 | 1,224 | 70% | 64% | +5.3 points | 150,358 |
| 1996 | 1,050 | 66% | 65% | +1.2 points | 152,257 |
| 1995 | 910 | 70% | 66% | +3.8 points | 157,749 |
| 1994 | 694 | 70% | 66% | +3.2 points | 160,150 |
| 1993 | 369 | 67% | 67% | +0.4 points | 158,687 |
| 1992 | 167 | 67% | 68% | −0.9 points | 150,307 |
| 1991 | 115 | 73% | 70% | +3.2 points | 151,405 |
| 1990 | 97 | 76% | 71% | +5.3 points | 142,839 |
Why the Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Discovery | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 9.0% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 8.4% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 5.9% | 3.5% |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 2.3% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.1% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.8% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.3%
- 2pin or bush excessively worn3.7%
- 3ball joint excessively worn2.1%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- 5excessively corroded1.8%
- 6inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
- 7does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
- 8has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- 9tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- 10constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.2%
Common Discovery MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Discovery, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 12.5% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 10.8% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 9.1% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.4% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.9% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.4% |
| corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | Body and structure | 5.1% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Non-component advisories | 3.4% |
| ferrule excessively corroded | Brakes | 3.3% |
Tips to help your Discovery pass
Based on where Discoverys most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 10.4% of Discovery tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 8.4% of Discovery tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Body and structure · 5.9% of Discovery tests
Look underneath for corrosion
On older cars, check sills, subframe mounts and brake pipes for rust. Surface rust is common, but corrosion on structural or brake parts is a fail.
Compare with other models
Is the Discovery ULEZ compliant? See the Land Rover Discovery ULEZ check, or view all Land Rover models.
Other Land Rover models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 155,716 first MOT tests of the Land Rover Discovery carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 155,716 first MOT tests of the Land Rover Discovery.
What is the Land Rover Discovery MOT failure rate?
In our data, 27% of 155,716 first MOT attempts on the Land Rover Discovery ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (10.4% of tests), suspension (9.0% of tests), brakes (8.4% of tests).
Which Discovery year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2011 cars performed best: 73% passed first time, +10.2 points against the average for 12-year-old cars. The weakest was 1992, at 67% (−0.9 points).
How many miles had a typical Land Rover Discovery covered at its MOT?
The average was 111,996 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 26,997 miles and 1990 cars 142,839.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Land Rover Discovery?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 12.5% of tests, in the tyres area. 4.4% of Discoverys failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Discovery's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 155,716 Discoverys in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 61% to 92% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any Discovery's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.