2005 Land Rover Range Rover 2.9L Diesel · TAZ 3293

The vehicle shows a consistent history of mechanical wear and corrosion typical of a Range Rover of this age. The most recent test in December 2023 at 135,441 miles passed despite noted play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and rear tyres reaching the legal limit. This follows a trend of suspension issues, with similar ball joint play recorded in early 2021 and split bushes noted in 2020. While the vehicle is currently passing, the recurring nature of ball joint and bush failures suggests that the suspension components are reaching the end of their service life. At 135,441 miles over 21 years, the vehicle has averaged approximately 6,450 miles per year. This low annual mileage suggests light use, but the record reveals significant environmental degradation related to standing time. In the September 2022 test at 132,703 miles, the tester identified corrosion on the integral body structure, including inner sills and arches, as well as on the subframe and exhaust. Although structural rigidity was not considered significantly reduced at that time, the presence of corrosion on brake hose ferrules and steering pipes indicates an ongoing vulnerability to oxidation. Maintenance patterns indicate periods of reactive rather than proactive care. The failures in 2020 and 2019 were due to significant issues such as missing wheel fixings, an insecure battery, and binding service brakes. These were addressed to achieve subsequent passes, but the recurring mention of perished bushes and cracked tyres across various years suggests neglect. A buyer should closely inspect the structural integrity of the sills and subframe areas to ensure the documented corrosion noted in 2022 has not progressed into a structural failure.