2009 Land Rover Range Rover 4.4L Diesel · AF59 XEO

A clean slate of defect entries across the recorded MOT history is the defining characteristic of this 2009 Range Rover, with only two pass and two fail entries showing no recorded advisories. The pattern of failed tests followed immediately by a pass on the next day in both 2024 and 2025 strongly suggests minor items such as lighting, tyre condition, or wiper presentation were rectified between the two visits rather than any underlying structural or mechanical concern. While the absence of recorded advisories is reassuring on the face of it, this is a vehicle approaching seventeen years of age and a recorded 190,182 miles, so it is prudent to treat a defect-free MOT as the baseline rather than the ceiling. Components prone to wear on a heavy luxury SUV of this vintage, including air suspension struts, the EAS compressor, and the front and rear axle assemblies, do not always raise a flag unless they are leaking fluid or seized at the time of test. Average annual mileage of approximately 11,187 miles over the seventeen-year period sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of this age and class, indicating a mix of regular driving and periods of lighter use rather than extreme high-mileage touring or extended storage. The continuity of annual testing through 2023, 2024, and 2025 confirms the vehicle has remained on the road and in active use, with no multi-year lay-up periods that would risk perished brake seals, seized calipers, or dry-rotted suspension bushes from disuse. At this accumulated mileage, however, the major mechanical assemblies of a Range Rover of this generation, including the timing chain, valve stem seals, and the dual-range transfer box, will have accumulated significant wear, and consumable items such as the EAS compressor, viscous coupling, and air spring diaphragms are statistically likely to be approaching or past their service life even though they have not yet appeared on the MOT record. For a prospective buyer, a physical pre-purchase inspection is essential rather than relying solely on the clean MOT history, as many Range Rover-specific faults are not assessed under the standard MOT test. The air suspension system warrants particular scrutiny on a test drive: with the engine running and at ride height, listen for the EAS compressor cutting in and out repeatedly without settling, and watch for the vehicle visibly sagging at any corner overnight. Road test the vehicle at low speed over speed humps and rough surfaces, listening for clonking from the front lower wishbones, the front radius arms, and the anti-roll bar drop links, as perished bushes at this mileage will produce an audible knock even if the car sat within tolerance at the time of the November 2025 test. Steering should feel precise with no wandering or delay, and any pulling to one side under braking may indicate a binding front caliper or a warped brake disc, both common on high-mileage examples. Underneath the vehicle, a torch inspection of the front and rear subframes, the outriggers, and the brake and fuel pipe runs is critical, as these are the areas where DVSA examiners would record advisory corrosion and structural concerns. Check for any fresh oil staining on the driveway or garage floor beneath the engine, gearbox, and transfer box, as a wet crankshaft seal or differential cover gasket is a common source of oil misting that an examiner may not flag if the leak is light at test time. During a road test, monitor the engine temperature gauge for any tendency to climb in slow traffic, and verify that the gearbox shifts cleanly through all ranges including reverse. Finally, ensure a diagnostic scan is carried out for Range Rover-specific fault codes in the air suspension, transmission, and Terrain Response modules, as electronic faults on these systems will not appear on the MOT record but can lead to substantial rectification costs.