Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,320,856 real DVSA MOT tests on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: L320 (2005–2013), L494 (2013–2022).
Where the Land Rover Range Rover Sport fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport is fluid leak — this model is 91 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,320,856 MOT tests, 0.03% of all Land Rover Range Rover Sport tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include step or stair in a deteriorated condition (152x the fleet average), parking brake inefficient (29x the fleet average), transmission shaft bearing worn (153x the fleet average), and abs fault (51x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Land Rover Range Rover Sport's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Buses and coaches supplementary tests, Brakes, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Land Rover Range Rover Sport before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Land Rover Range Rover Sport specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft bearing worn (153x the average) and step or stair in a deteriorated condition (152x). headlight fault (44x) and fluid leak (38x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Land Rover Range Rover Sport specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fluid leak (90x the average) and step or stair in a deteriorated condition (57x). abs fault (46x) and suspension ball joints worn (29x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Land Rover Range Rover Sport specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fluid leak (91x the average) and step or stair in a deteriorated condition (63x). transmission shaft bearing housing (59x) and abs fault (49x) also appear frequently.
The shift from transmission shaft bearing worn at lower mileages to fluid leak at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Land Rover Range Rover Sport specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake hose ferrule corrosion (L320/L494) Dangerous
Brake hose ferrules (the metal crimped fittings where flexible hoses connect to brake lines) are prone to corrosion on Range Rover Sport models. Affects L320, L494; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Air suspension failure (L320) Major
The air suspension system uses electronically controlled air springs, a compressor, and height sensors to maintain ride height and provide variable damping. Affects L320; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Timing chain issues (L494) Major
The 3.0 SDV6 and 4.4 SDV8 diesel engines use timing chains to drive the camshafts and high-pressure fuel pump. Affects L494; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Transmission shaft bearing wear (L320/L494) Major
The complex 4WD system uses front and rear differentials plus a transfer box with multiple bearings supporting transmission shafts. Affects L320, L494; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£2,000.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Land Rover Range Rover Sport common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Land Rover Range Rover Sport:
Suspension — check for fluid leak, suspension component damaged or corroded. Buses and coaches supplementary tests — check for step or stair in a deteriorated condition. Brakes — check for parking brake inefficient, brake hoses perished or damaged. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft bearing worn, abs fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake hose ferrule corrosion and air suspension failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Land Rover Range Rover Sport?
Based on 1,320,856 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is fluid leak — at 91x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include step or stair in a deteriorated condition and parking brake inefficient.
Is the Land Rover Range Rover Sport reliable based on MOT data?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has 24 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake hose ferrule corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport most commonly fails on fluid leak and step or stair in a deteriorated condition. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are transmission shaft bearing worn and step or stair in a deteriorated condition.
How do I check a Land Rover Range Rover Sport's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.