1997 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R873 DWO
1997 Land Rover Discovery (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Dec 1997. Recorded mileage 269,073 miles. MOT expired on 20 Nov 2016. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 20 Nov 2016
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 269,073 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.
R873 DWO Key Findings
- 17 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 23/11/2016
- 269,073 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- 20 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (17 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R873 DWO MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
17 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Discovery (R873 DWO) between November 2005 and November 2016.
The record contains 11 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 23 November 2016 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (17 issues), Bodywork (15 issues), Lighting (10 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (8 issues), Suspension (8 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 24 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 Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1”; “Fuel tank insecure strap broken (7.2.1)”; “Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened both (3.5.1i)”.
R873 DWO Mileage History
- 16/11/2005120,195 mi
- 06/11/2006124,600 mi+4,405 mi
- 17/11/2006124,621 mi+21 mi
- 17/10/2007140,087 mi+15,466 mi
- 06/11/2008172,986 mi+32,899 mi
- 06/11/2008172,988 mi+2 mi
- 09/11/2009203,623 mi+30,635 mi
- 10/11/2009203,625 mi+2 mi
- 17/11/2010219,040 mi+15,415 mi
- 18/11/2010219,052 mi+12 mi
- 15/11/2011234,879 mi+15,827 mi
- 21/11/2011234,885 mi+6 mi
- 14/11/2012243,233 mi+8,348 mi
- 25/10/2013247,893 mi+4,660 mi
- 03/11/2014256,466 mi+8,573 mi
- 05/11/2015262,670 mi+6,204 mi
- 23/11/2016269,073 mi+6,403 mi
Average of roughly 13,510 miles per year across 17 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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