2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Ball joint dust cover8.6× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  10.3% All 2016 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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.

• Rigid brake pipes4.3× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  6.4% All 2016 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

• Airbag warning light11.5× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  2.3% All 2016 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  2.7% All 2016 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 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.

• Brakes
  23% 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
  21% 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.

• Suspension
  18% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  5% 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
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover 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.

• Poor reliability

  All engines

  What Car? says reliability is a big issue on this Range Rover, and running costs, especially for V8s, are very high.

  At the viewing: Get a full specialist inspection, test every electrical item and the air suspension, and check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Range Rover (2013-2022) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel

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

1. What has gone wrong and been fixed, and is there a full Land Rover history?
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 8.6× as often on the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 11.5× as often on the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?