Land Rover Freelander MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 129,628 MOT tests on the Land Rover Freelander carried out in 2023. 34% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Freelanders passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1998 to 2014. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2011 models did best (74% passed, +11.2 points against the average for 12-year-old cars), while 1999 models fared worst (50%, −12.2 points). Tested cars had covered 114,207 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 15.3% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 7.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 129,628
- First-time pass rate
- 66%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −5.3 points
- Average mileage at test
- 114,207
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Freelander?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Freelander 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 11,686 | 79% | 72% | +7.6 points | 79,691 |
| 2013 | 13,293 | 76% | 68% | +7.4 points | 90,442 |
| 2012 | 10,528 | 75% | 66% | +9.7 points | 96,967 |
| 2011 | 12,437 | 74% | 63% | +11.2 points | 107,248 |
| 2010 | 14,290 | 68% | 60% | +7.5 points | 114,788 |
| 2009 | 10,220 | 68% | 59% | +8.6 points | 120,893 |
| 2008 | 11,554 | 63% | 57% | +5.3 points | 131,226 |
| 2007 | 15,104 | 62% | 57% | +4.6 points | 137,274 |
| 2006 | 7,506 | 53% | 56% | −3.4 points | 125,641 |
| 2005 | 7,173 | 51% | 56% | −4.8 points | 124,620 |
| 2004 | 6,179 | 52% | 56% | −4.2 points | 125,370 |
| 2003 | 3,976 | 53% | 57% | −3.5 points | 130,225 |
| 2002 | 2,906 | 54% | 58% | −3.2 points | 133,771 |
| 2001 | 1,477 | 54% | 59% | −4.6 points | 125,427 |
| 2000 | 582 | 54% | 61% | −6.8 points | 117,653 |
| 1999 | 354 | 50% | 62% | −12.2 points | 119,086 |
| 1998 | 275 | 53% | 64% | −10.8 points | 115,961 |
Why the Land Rover Freelander fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Freelander | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 15.3% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 12.2% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 10.7% | 6.8% |
| Steering | 5.5% | 1.8% |
| Body and structure | 4.5% | 3.5% |
| Tyres | 4.3% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 3.9% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.0% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.5% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working7.6%
- 2ball joint excessively worn3.8%
- 3ball joint has excessive play3.6%
- 4efficiency below requirements3.3%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
- 6ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
- 7less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
- 8not working on dipped beam2.2%
- 9does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- 10inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.8%
Common Freelander MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Freelander, 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 | 15.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.5% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 8.9% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.1% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 7.5% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.0% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.8% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.5% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.6% |
| ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 3.7% |
Tips to help your Freelander pass
Based on where Freelanders most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 15.3% of Freelander 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 · 10.7% of Freelander 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.
Steering · 5.5% of Freelander tests
Feel for play in the steering
Clunks or play in the steering wheel, uneven tyre wear or a split steering rack gaiter are all reasons to book an inspection before the test.
Compare with other models
Is the Freelander ULEZ compliant? See the Land Rover Freelander ULEZ check, or view all Land Rover models.
Other Land Rover models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 129,628 first MOT tests of the Land Rover Freelander 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 129,628 first MOT tests of the Land Rover Freelander.
What is the Land Rover Freelander MOT failure rate?
In our data, 34% of 129,628 first MOT attempts on the Land Rover Freelander ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Land Rover Freelander fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (15.3% of tests), suspension (12.2% of tests), brakes (10.7% of tests).
Which Freelander year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2011 cars performed best: 74% passed first time, +11.2 points against the average for 12-year-old cars. The weakest was 1999, at 50% (−12.2 points).
How many miles had a typical Land Rover Freelander covered at its MOT?
The average was 114,207 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2014 cars averaged 79,691 miles and 1998 cars 115,961.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Land Rover Freelander?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.8% of tests, in the tyres area. 4.3% of Freelanders failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Freelander's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 129,628 Freelanders in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 50% to 79% 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
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