Is the Land rover Discovery reliable?

The Land rover Discovery has an average MOT pass rate of 82% across 32 years, based on 303,894 tests in 2026. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 96% pass rate.

Which year Land rover Discovery is best?

The 2021 Land rover Discovery has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 74%. There's a 22 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Land rover Discovery

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 32 years from 303,894 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

82%

Total Tests

303,894

Best Year

2021 (96%)

Years Covered

About the Land rover Discovery

The Land rover Discovery has been tested 303,894 times in 2026 MOT data across 32 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 82%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol and ED.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 96% pass rate from 49 tests. The 1993 model has the lowest at 74%. With a 22 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer LAND ROVER DISCOVERYs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 138,947 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 38,552 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Land rover brand average of 90%, the Discovery is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Land rover models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2997cc)

£1,592

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Land rover Discovery?

vs national average+0% (82% avg)

vs Land rover brand average-8% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread22 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Land rover Discovery by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	49	38,552 mi
2020	94%	214	44,873 mi
2019	91%	5,578	59,876 mi
2018	92%	22,325	64,985 mi
2017	90%	26,598	70,439 mi
2016	88%	20,634	84,155 mi
2015	87%	19,128	97,377 mi
2014	86%	15,907	104,968 mi
2013	84%	13,944	115,146 mi
2012	84%	15,207	123,543 mi
2011	83%	13,928	130,567 mi
2010	82%	14,999	136,363 mi
2009	80%	11,739	140,963 mi
2008	80%	10,859	148,481 mi
2007	79%	14,662	151,679 mi
2006	78%	17,245	159,807 mi
2005	78%	17,079	164,007 mi
2004	77%	12,321	152,573 mi
2003	77%	10,616	147,743 mi
2002	77%	8,549	153,912 mi
2001	75%	6,308	153,394 mi
2000	75%	4,148	156,648 mi
1999	75%	5,978	158,555 mi
1998	77%	3,539	158,458 mi
1997	80%	3,177	154,598 mi
1996	78%	2,725	153,238 mi
1995	77%	2,437	156,551 mi
1994	80%	1,885	161,208 mi
1993	74%	1,108	155,475 mi
1992	81%	438	149,802 mi
1991	78%	319	155,439 mi
1990	82%	251	138,947 mi