Addictive presence, punishing repair bills
The Range Rover Sport is the performance-oriented Range Rover, competing with the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, and Mercedes GLE. It carries a 20% reliability rating (MotorEasy, April 2025) — one of the worst scores in the UK market. Engine repair claims average nearly £4,000 and represent almost a quarter of all warranty claims. Depreciation is savage: L320 models (2005-2013) that cost £50,000+ new are available from £8,000-£15,000, while L494 models (2014-2022) range from £20,000-£50,000.
We track 7 known issues across the Land Rover Range Rover Sport range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Land Rover Range Rover Sport? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
L320 (2005–2013) — Petrol options included the 4.2 V8, 4.4 V8, 5.0 V8, with 2.7 TDV6, 2.9 TDV8, 3.6 TDV8, 4.2 TDV8 on the diesel side. Our database flags 6 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake hose ferrule corrosion (£300–£600 to address).
L494 (2013–2022) — Petrol options included the 2.0 Ingenium, 3.0 SC V6, 5.0 V8, with 2.0 Ingenium, 3.0 SDV6, 4.4 SDV8 on the diesel side. Our database flags 6 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake hose ferrule corrosion (£300–£600 to address).
Brake hose ferrules (the metal crimped fittings where flexible hoses connect to brake lines) are prone to corrosion on Range Rover Sport models. The ferrules are exposed to road salt, water spray, and debris with inadequate protection. Corrosion weakens the ferrule causing brake fluid leaks or complete hose separation under pressure. This model shows MOT failure rates 47.1 times higher than the fleet average, indicating a significant design weakness affecting brake system integrity.
Corroded brake hose ferrules can fail catastrophically under braking pressure, resulting in complete brake system failure and loss of stopping ability. This represents an immediate danger to occupants and other road users. Emergency repairs require recovery and immediate professional attention. Complete brake hose replacement typically costs £400-£800 but is essential for safety.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The air suspension system uses electronically controlled air springs, a compressor, and height sensors to maintain ride height and provide variable damping. Compressor failure is the most common mode, typically caused by overwork from leaking air springs or blocked air filter. Air spring perishing occurs at suspension mounting points due to age and flexing. Height sensor failure causes incorrect ride height and warning messages. This is one of the most expensive repair categories on L320 models and affects resale values significantly.
Complete air suspension failure leaves the vehicle sitting on bump stops with severely compromised ride quality and handling. The compressor can overheat and fail from continuous operation attempting to maintain pressure in leaking system. Total system rebuild typically costs £3,000-£5,000. The vehicle remains drivable but with reduced ground clearance and poor ride quality.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 3.0 SDV6 and 4.4 SDV8 diesel engines use timing chains to drive the camshafts and high-pressure fuel pump. Chain stretch occurs due to extended oil change intervals and high combustion pressures in diesel engines. Tensioner wear compounds the problem as hydraulic tensioners lose pressure. Chain stretch causes timing drift, reduced power, and rattling noises particularly on startup. Severe cases result in timing chain failure and catastrophic engine damage with valves contacting pistons.
Advanced timing chain stretch causes timing drift leading to poor performance, increased emissions, and potential MOT failure. Complete chain failure results in catastrophic internal engine damage as valves contact pistons. Engine rebuild costs typically £8,000-£15,000. Early intervention with chain and tensioner replacement costs £2,000-£4,000 but prevents total engine destruction.
Listen carefully for a rattle or ticking noise from the engine on cold start — this is the most common early sign. Ask for evidence of chain replacement in the service history. On higher-mileage cars without documented replacement, budget for preventative work.
The complex 4WD system uses front and rear differentials plus a transfer box with multiple bearings supporting transmission shafts. Bearing failure occurs due to contaminated or aged lubricants, water ingress from wading, or manufacturing tolerances. The transfer box input bearing is particularly prone to failure on early L320 models. Differential bearings wear from irregular servicing or overloading. This model shows MOT failure rates 152.8 times higher than the fleet average at peak mileage bands.
Failed transmission bearings cause progressively worsening noise and can seize completely, damaging the differential housing or transfer box casing. Bearing debris contaminates oil causing accelerated wear of other components. Repair costs vary from £800 for a single differential bearing to £3,000 for complete transfer box rebuild. Vehicle remains drivable but noise and wear progression continues.
Listen for whining from the rear on deceleration and a clunk when changing direction — both signs of differential wear. Check for oil leaks around the differential housing. On performance cars, ask about limited-slip differential service history.
The electronic parking brake system replaces the traditional handbrake lever with electrically operated calipers on the rear wheels. Motor failure within the brake calipers is common, caused by water ingress, seized mechanisms, or electrical faults. Control module failures also occur due to voltage spikes or moisture ingress. Warning light illumination indicates system malfunction requiring immediate attention. MOT data shows this model failing at rates 26.3 times higher than average for electronic parking brake issues.
Electronic parking brake failure can result in inability to secure the vehicle on slopes, presenting a safety hazard. Failed calipers may also drag during driving, causing brake overheating and pad wear. Complete system failure requires caliper replacement at £600-£1,200 per side. Control module failure costs £800-£1,500 to replace and reprogram.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Land Rover Range Rover Sport common problems page.
Based on 755k real DVSA MOT tests, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is transmission shaft bearing worn at 153x the fleet average, followed by step or stair in a deteriorated condition (152x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 16k miles) typically costs £80–£150 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include automatic transmission fluid (£300–£500), differential fluid (£200–£350), air suspension compressor service (£200–£400).
See the full Land Rover Range Rover Sport service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2016-2018 L494 with the 3.0 SDV6 and a verified timing belt change is the pragmatic choice — the facelift brought improved electronics, and independent specialist support is strong. Avoid early 2014 L494s (first-year teething problems) and any L320 TDV6 without documented belt history. The 5.0 V8 is mechanically simpler but costs £25-£35 per 100 miles in fuel.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Land Rover Range Rover Sport, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Land Rover Range Rover Sport issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.