1997 Land Rover Range Rover · 1,085 MOT tests
1997 Land Rover Range Rover reliability
1997 Land Rover Range Rovers fail 31.6% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 25 Range Rover years (1,085 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Range Rovers: 19.4%)
- 31.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Range Rovers: 19.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 141,528
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,085
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1996 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- 1998 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 5.9% of tests fail here (21% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 50% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Land Rover Range Rover
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics11.1%
- Suspension10.7%
- Brakes10%
- Body, chassis and structure9.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%
- Steering5.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 4.88%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 2.95%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.95%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.86%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Position lamp not working 2.58%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.4%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (28.85%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.66%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.57%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.11%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.36%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (6.36%)
Other years
Every Land Rover Range Rover year
The full picture: Land Rover Range Rover reliability. Before you pay for any Land Rover Range Rover, 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 Range Rover reliable?
1997 Land Rover Range Rovers fail 31.6% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 25 Range Rover years (1,085 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Land Rover Range Rover MOT?
Most often abs warning lamp shows a fault (4.88% of tests), ball joint dust cover no longer sealed (2.95% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (2.95% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Land Rover Range Rover have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Land Rover Range Rover shows 141,528 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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