1997 Land Rover Discovery · 2,224 MOT tests
1997 Land Rover Discovery reliability
1997 Land Rover Discoverys fail 33.2% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 25 Discovery years (2,224 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Discoverys: 25.3%)
- 33.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Discoverys: 25.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 151,725
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,224
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1996 cars: 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does worse)
- 1998 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 7% of tests fail here (69% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 56% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Land Rover Discovery
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.8%
- Suspension12.7%
- Body, chassis and structure12.2%
- Brakes10.8%
- Seat belts and airbags7%
- Steering6.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Seat belt anchor area weakened 5.76%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Position lamp not working 3.82%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rear fog lamp not working 3.51%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.19%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Stop lamp not working 3.1%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wheel bearing has excessive play 3.01%
A worn wheel bearing can fail, causing noise, tyre wear or a loose wheel, so it needs urgent repair.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (29.45%) · Wheel bearing slight play (14.75%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (10.3%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.33%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.12%) · Body structure corroded but rigid (6.07%)
Other years
Every Land Rover Discovery year
The full picture: Land Rover Discovery reliability. Before you pay for any Land Rover Discovery, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
1997 Land Rover Discoverys fail 33.2% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 25 Discovery years (2,224 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Land Rover Discovery MOT?
Most often seat belt anchor area weakened (5.76% of tests), position lamp not working (3.82% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (3.51% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Land Rover Discovery have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Land Rover Discovery shows 151,725 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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