1997 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R817 AKM
1997 Land Rover Discovery (2.5L, diesel). First registered 03 Oct 1997. Recorded mileage 127,673 miles. MOT expired on 09 Aug 2024. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 09 Aug 2024
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 127,673 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.
R817 AKM Key Findings
- 21 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 02/08/2023
- 127,673 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (17 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R817 AKM MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
21 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Discovery (R817 AKM) between February 2006 and August 2023.
The record contains 16 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 02 August 2023 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: Lighting (17 issues), Brakes (15 issues), Suspension (14 issues), Tyres (7 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 53 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: “Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))”.
R817 AKM Mileage History
- 04/02/200688,404 mi
- 16/02/2007114,093 mi+25,689 mi
- 18/02/2008123,676 mi+9,583 mi
- 27/02/2008123,732 mi+56 mi
- 16/02/2009131,750 mi+8,018 mi
- 16/02/2009131,750 mi
- 25/02/2010140,007 mi+8,257 mi
- 13/01/2011150,434 mi+10,427 mi
- 14/01/2011150,437 mi+3 mi
- 10/01/2012161,398 mi+10,961 mi
- 11/01/2012161,398 mi
- 25/04/2013166,725 mi+5,327 mi
- 08/05/2014182,559 mi+15,834 mi
- 05/08/2017192,673 mi+10,114 mi
- 26/07/2018195,354 mi+2,681 mi
- 27/07/2019197,889 mi+2,535 mi
- 31/07/2020127,673 mi-70,216 mi
- 04/08/2021128,937 mi+1,264 mi
- 11/08/2022127,673 mi-1,264 mi
- 29/07/2023127,673 mi
- 02/08/2023127,673 mi
Average of roughly 2,245 miles per year across 21 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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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