2017 Land Rover Range Rover diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Land Rover Range Rover diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Ball joint dust cover9× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  8.1% All 2017 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.4% of all 2017 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 pipes3.6× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  3.6% All 2017 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2017 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 joints1.6× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  6% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

• Airbag warning light10× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  2% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.2% of all 2017 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.

• Engine oil leaks2× usual
  Land Rover Range Rover

  3% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2017 Land Rover Range Rover diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 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
  21% 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
  19% 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
  15% 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
  4% 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
  3% 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 2017 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 2017 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 9× as often on the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2017 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?