1997 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R640 BMB
1997 Land Rover Discovery (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 123,900 miles. MOT expired on 05 Feb 2015.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 05 Feb 2015
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Jul 2015)
- Recorded Mileage
- 123,900 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.
R640 BMB Key Findings
- 15 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 06/02/2014
- 123,900 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (40 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R640 BMB MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
15 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Discovery (R640 BMB) between January 2006 and February 2014.
The record contains 9 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 06 February 2014 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 6 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (40 issues), Lighting (16 issues), Bodywork (7 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 56 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: “Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)”; “Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)”; “Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)”.
R640 BMB Mileage History
- 19/01/200684,101 mi
- 03/01/200791,010 mi+6,909 mi
- 18/01/200897,436 mi+6,426 mi
- 21/01/200897,476 mi+40 mi
- 21/01/2009104,530 mi+7,054 mi
- 27/01/2009104,554 mi+24 mi
- 01/02/2010107,914 mi+3,360 mi
- 31/01/2011112,209 mi+4,295 mi
- 02/02/2011112,209 mi
- 17/01/2012115,945 mi+3,736 mi
- 23/01/2012115,950 mi+5 mi
- 28/01/2013119,816 mi+3,866 mi
- 29/01/2013119,821 mi+5 mi
- 03/02/2014123,787 mi+3,966 mi
- 06/02/2014123,900 mi+113 mi
Average of roughly 4,945 miles per year across 15 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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