Used car guide · 2005–2026

Land Rover Range Rover Sport common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 365,999 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

365,999MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
169,833on the UK register
8known faults across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005

What usually goes wrong with a Land Rover Range Rover Sport?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Leaks from the tailgate and sunroof

    Cars registered 2013–2022 · All engines

    Poor panel fit is common, and leaks from the tailgate and sunroof can play havoc with the electrics.

    At the viewing: Look for uneven panel gaps, damp carpets and water marks, and test all the electrics.

    Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

  • Fuel pump and front differential failures

    Cars registered 2005–2012 · All engines

    The fuel pump and front differential can both fail without warning and leave the car stranded.

    At the viewing: Ask whether either has been replaced, with invoices.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Sport buying guide (2005-2013)

  • Engine system fault warning

    Cars registered 2005–2012 · All engines

    An 'engine system fault' message can mean expensive electrical faults.

    At the viewing: Make sure no warning messages show.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Sport buying guide (2005-2013)

  • Many recalls (22)

    Cars registered 2013–2022 · All engines

    There have been 22 recalls, covering wiring that can chafe, seatbelt pre-tensioners, loose wheel nuts, doors unlatching, airbags, fuel leaks, brake servo failure and the instrument cluster.

    At the viewing: Ask a Land Rover dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

  • Timing chain due every five years (some engines)

    Cars registered 2013–2022 · Check which engine

    Auto Express gives a timing chain change interval of five years or 140,000 miles, about £600 at a dealer with the water pump.

    At the viewing: Ask for service records showing the work was done on time.

    Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

  • Recalls: brake servo, fuel pump, seatbelts, gearbox park

    Cars registered 2005–2012 · Some cars

    Recalls covered rear seatbelts and the automatic's park function (built Aug to Sept 2005), wheel weights that could damage sensors and hoses (2006), and brake servo and fuel pump faults (2009).

    At the viewing: Ask a Land Rover dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Sport buying guide (2005-2013)

  • Tyres that can’t be repaired

    Cars registered 2013–2022 · Cars on original tyres

    The original Continental tyres have a foam layer to cut noise, so punctures can’t be repaired.

    At the viewing: See which tyres it has and how much tread is left.

    Source: Auto Express: used Range Rover Sport (Mk2, 2013-2022) buyer’s guide

  • Steering wheel vibration

    Cars registered 2005–2012 · All engines

    Some cars vibrate through the steering wheel. A Land Rover garage may be able to fit a damper.

    At the viewing: Feel for vibration at speed.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Range Rover Sport buying guide (2005-2013)

Common Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 6.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Prop shaft

    up to 16.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 13× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Transmission oil leaks

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2015.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Diesel

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Prop shaft

    up to 36× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 16.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport did best (78% passed first time, 14 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2022 did worst (90%, 1 point above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3119 (small sample)
202290%89% +15,013
202189%87% +214,056
202088%87% +123,154
201988%85% +333,812
201887%83% +432,279
201784%80% +430,514
201681%77% +432,318
201580%74% +632,318
201480%70% +1025,749
201379%67% +1219,068
201278%64% +1417,777
201176%62% +1415,915
201074%60% +1416,280
200971%59% +1213,067
200868%57% +1112,656
200767%57% +1015,427
200666%56% +1016,549
200568%57% +119,928

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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

  1. Has it had any water leaks or electrical faults?
  2. Have the fuel pump and front differential been replaced?
  3. Has it had any engine system fault warnings?
  4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the prop shaft? (Flagged at MOT 36× as often on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Land Rover Range Rover Sport?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score