1997 Land Rover Discovery 3.9L Petrol · P542 KAC
1997 Land Rover Discovery (3.9L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 1997. Recorded mileage 123,012 miles. MOT expired on 21 Sept 2013.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 21 Sept 2013
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Mar 2014)
- Recorded Mileage
- 123,012 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 3.9L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
P542 KAC Key Findings
- 8 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 22/09/2012
- 123,012 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P542 KAC MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
8 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Discovery (P542 KAC) between July 2006 and September 2012.
The record contains 6 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 22 September 2012 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (9 issues), Lighting (6 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)”; “Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)”; “Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)”.
P542 KAC Mileage History
- 14/07/200676,038 mi
- 20/08/200787,381 mi+11,343 mi
- 01/09/200787,926 mi+545 mi
- 11/09/200895,846 mi+7,920 mi
- 28/09/2009106,784 mi+10,938 mi
- 09/10/2009106,790 mi+6 mi
- 09/10/2010116,416 mi+9,626 mi
- 22/09/2012123,012 mi+6,596 mi
Average of roughly 7,586 miles per year across 8 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Land Rover Discovery 1 (LSE)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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LAND ROVER DISCOVERY Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Bodywork and Structural RustSerious
Inner front wings, wheel arches, sills, footwells and boot floor are highly prone to corrosion. The aluminium body panels hide steel underneath that rots badly.
- 300TDi Timing Belt FailureSerious
The 300TDi is an interference engine and timing belt failure causes valve-to-piston contact and catastrophic engine damage. Some belts have failed as early as 40,000 miles.
- Sunroof Leaks and Headlining SagModerate
Blocked sunroof drain tubes cause water to pour into the cabin, damaging electrics and causing rust. The headlining sags on later (1994+) models.
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