1998 · 26 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1998 Land Rover Discovery MOT pass rate and common faults

1,095 MOT tests in 2024. 66.4% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time66.4%
Failed or needed repairs33.6%
Typical mileage at test159,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,095 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting5.0%
  2. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced4.7%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  4. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.5%
  5. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush3.0%
  6. Rear fog lamp: not working2.5%
  7. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.4%
  8. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements2.4%
  9. Wheel bearings: has excessive play2.1%
  10. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics32.9%
  2. Body & chassis22.0%
  3. Suspension21.5%
  4. Brakes19.4%
  5. Steering8.2%
  6. Seat belts & airbags6.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.1%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine31.4%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play14.4%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.9%

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 1998 Land Rover Discovery?

In 2024, 66.4% of 1998 Land Rover Discovery cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,095 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 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; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Land Rover Discovery reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).