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Land Rover Discovery 3 Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Land Rover Discovery 3 (2004–2009).

MOT Pass Rate

71.8%10.2% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Average — based on approx. 12,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

2.70%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

18.5%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

17.5%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

18.5%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

15.5%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

11.5%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

10.8%

Where Faults Occur

29.0%

Front

31.0%

Rear

23.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

22,000 mi

At 5 years

38,000 mi

At 10 years

72,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Land Rover Discovery 3 a Good Buy?

The Land Rover Discovery 3 shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 71.8% pass rate, it sits 10.2% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Land Rover Discovery 3 MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Land Rover Discovery 3.

View Land Rover Discovery 3 MOT Data

Check a Specific Land Rover Discovery 3

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Land Rover Discovery 3.

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Other Land Rover Models

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

78.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Land Rover Discovery Sport

77.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Land Rover Freelander

71.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Land Rover Discovery

74.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

76.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Land Rover Range Rover

75.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Land Rover models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Land Rover Discovery 3?
The top MOT failure on the Land Rover Discovery 3 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 17.5% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Land Rover Discovery 3 MOT pass rate?
The Land Rover Discovery 3 has an estimated MOT pass rate of 71.8%, which is 10.2% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Land Rover Discovery 3 as "Average" for MOT reliability.
Is the Land Rover Discovery 3 reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Land Rover Discovery 3 has a average reliability record with a 71.8% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 2.70% and a retest rate of 18.5%.
How much does it cost to fix common Land Rover Discovery 3 MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Land Rover Discovery 3 MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Land Rover Discovery 3 have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Land Rover Discovery 3 covers approximately 22,000 mi by 3 years, 38,000 mi by 5 years, and 72,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Land Rover Discovery 3?
The Land Rover Discovery 3 requires careful inspection based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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