1997 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R922 EKH

The most recent MOT test on 5 November 2021 at 136,243 miles resulted in a failure with no defects recorded, leaving the vehicle's current roadworthiness unconfirmed and the maintenance trend ambiguous. Prior to that, the test on 5 November 2020 at 129,725 miles passed cleanly, but the attempt three days earlier on 2 November 2020 at 129,724 miles failed with no defects logged. The earlier tests in April 2019 at 124,362 miles and May 2018 at 119,723 miles both passed without advisories. This sparse, defect-free record shows no worsening mechanical trend, yet the unexplained 2021 failure means the Discovery has not held a valid test for nearly five years. The odometer shows 136,243 miles against 29 years of age, an average of roughly 4,700 miles per year. The gap between the May 2018 test at 119,723 miles and the April 2019 test at 124,362 miles added only 4,639 miles in eleven months, while the run to November 2020 at 129,725 miles covered a further 5,363 miles. Low annual use of this order often signals prolonged standing periods, which on a 1997 Land Rover chassis invites corrosion and perished rubber components rather than high-mileage drivetrain fatigue. The record carries no advisories, so the sparse data gives no direct evidence of neglect beyond the two administrative failures. A buyer must treat the 2021 failure as a red flag requiring a fresh MOT before purchase. With no defects itemised, the cause could range from documentation error to a serious fault cleared before retest. Given the vehicle's age and low use, the structural integrity of the chassis and bulkhead demands physical inspection for rust, alongside suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake calipers that may have seized from inactivity. The 2.5-litre engine and transfer box should be checked for fluid contamination and windage from standing. Exhaust emissions and brake disc condition warrant verification on a road test, as long dormancy degrades both silently. The clean history offers little reassurance on a 29-year-old 4x4; previous owners logged minimal mileages yet allowed the test to lapse. Independent examination by a marque specialist remains essential.