1996 · 28 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1996 Land Rover Discovery MOT pass rate and common faults

864 MOT tests in 2024. 69.4% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time69.4%
Failed or needed repairs30.6%
Typical mileage at test153,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 864 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting5.6%
  2. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced4.5%
  3. Rear fog lamp: not working2.9%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.4%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.4%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.2%
  7. Side repeaters: not working2.1%
  8. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.0%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low1.7%
  10. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush1.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics34.1%
  2. Body & chassis20.6%
  3. Brakes16.3%
  4. Suspension15.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.4%
  6. Seat belts & airbags6.4%
  7. Steering6.3%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.6%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play13.4%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Land Rover Discovery?

In 2024, 69.4% of 1996 Land Rover Discovery cars passed their MOT first time, across 864 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Land Rover Discovery?

The most common failure reasons were chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting; seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced; rear fog lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1996 Land Rover Discovery reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).