Used car guide

2021 Land Rover Discovery diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Land Rover Discovery first registered in 2021 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 15,971 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,971MOTs of 2021 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
86%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
10,400typical miles a year
22%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 Land Rover Discovery diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Land Rover Discovery diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2021 Land Rover Discovery diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Land Rover Discovery diesel

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

  1. Has the engine had any major work or been replaced?
  2. 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%
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%
19931,024Lights 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 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score