2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  35% All 2002 cars

  18.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Track rod ends2.4× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  13.9% All 2002 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Suspension arm3.1× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  9.7% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.7× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  8.3% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Brake lights1.9× usual
  Land Rover Freelander

  10.9% All 2002 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 4.7% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  51% 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.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  27% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2002 Land Rover Freelander diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?