1998 Land Rover Discovery · 5,027 MOT tests
1998 Land Rover Discovery reliability
1998 Land Rover Discoverys fail 34.2% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 25 Discovery years (5,027 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Discoverys: 25.3%)
- 34.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Discoverys: 25.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 158,380
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,027
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- 1999 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 6% of tests fail here (44% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 57% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Land Rover Discovery
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.6%
- Body, chassis and structure13.6%
- Suspension12.8%
- Brakes11.9%
- Seat belts and airbags6%
- Steering6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Seat belt anchor area weakened 3.96%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Position lamp not working 3.72%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.18%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Stop lamp not working 2.39%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp aim set too low 2.25%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.21%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (23.45%) · Wheel bearing slight play (12%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.65%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.12%) · Chassis corroded but still rigid (5.87%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.33%)
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 1998 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
1998 Land Rover Discoverys fail 34.2% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 25 Discovery years (5,027 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Land Rover Discovery MOT?
Most often seat belt anchor area weakened (3.96% of tests), position lamp not working (3.72% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.18% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Land Rover Discovery have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Land Rover Discovery shows 158,380 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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