2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Rigid brake pipes3.2× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  23.3% All 2009 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  17.7% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Sub-frame bushes13.8× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  6.9% All 2009 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  10.4% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Body structure rust or damage1.9× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  2.3% All 2009 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  37% 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
  26% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  10% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Land Rover Range Rover 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 3.2× as often on the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 13.8× as often on the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?