1997 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R311 VJW
1997 Land Rover Discovery (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 130,407 miles. MOT expired on 21 Mar 2014.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 21 Mar 2014
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Jul 2014)
- Recorded Mileage
- 130,407 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- 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.
R311 VJW Key Findings
- 12 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 22/03/2013
- 130,407 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (15 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R311 VJW MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
12 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Discovery (R311 VJW) between August 2006 and March 2013.
The record contains 7 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 22 March 2013 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 5 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (15 issues), Lighting (10 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Steering (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 13 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: “Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)”; “Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)”; “Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)”.
R311 VJW Mileage History
- 03/08/200691,843 mi
- 09/08/200691,999 mi+156 mi
- 07/08/2007100,492 mi+8,493 mi
- 13/08/2007100,596 mi+104 mi
- 12/08/2008107,457 mi+6,861 mi
- 18/08/2008107,528 mi+71 mi
- 10/08/2009114,568 mi+7,040 mi
- 13/08/2009114,642 mi+74 mi
- 13/08/2010122,156 mi+7,514 mi
- 20/08/2010122,245 mi+89 mi
- 26/05/2012127,170 mi+4,925 mi
- 22/03/2013130,407 mi+3,237 mi
Average of roughly 5,814 miles per year across 12 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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