Used car guide

1993 Land Rover Discovery petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Land Rover Discovery first registered in 1993 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 100 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 100 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

100MOTs of 1993 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
69%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 68%)
3,600typical miles a year
31%had oil and fluid leaks flagged

Common 1993 Land Rover Discovery petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1993 Land Rover Discovery petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    31% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Brakes
    24% 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
    19% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1993 Land Rover Discovery petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Land Rover Discovery?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Land Rover Discovery compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023243Tyres 12%
20226,738Tyres 23%
202119,307Tyres 22%
202018,465Tyres 21%
201923,542Tyres 21%
201825,246Tyres 21%
201729,265Brakes 23%
201629,060Brakes 25%
201527,463Brakes 27%
201422,206Brakes 30%
201318,952Brakes 32%
201220,291Brakes 33%
201117,972Brakes 35%
201018,998Brakes 34%
200915,380Brakes 37%
200814,624Suspension 40%
200719,711Suspension 42%
200622,865Suspension 46%
200523,157Suspension 45%
200419,033Suspension 45%
200316,818Suspension 44%
200213,569Suspension 45%
200110,667Suspension 45%
20006,850Suspension 45%
19996,089Suspension 42%
19983,454Lights and electrics 40%
19973,182Lights and electrics 37%
19962,746Lights and electrics 37%
19952,413Lights and electrics 38%
19941,867Lights and electrics 34%
1992432Lights and electrics 35%
1991309Lights and electrics 35%
1990259Lights and electrics 26%
1989–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Land Rover Discovery cars first registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score