2005 Land Rover Range Rover 2.9L Diesel · AV55 ANR

Structural durability and a notable mechanical intervention highlight the history of this twenty-one-year-old Range Rover, which most recently passed its MOT on 24 December 2022 at 141,369 miles. While several historical tests show clean sheets with no defects recorded, a severe compliance failure occurred in June 2022 when both the nearside front and nearside rear tyres were marked as dangerous due to structural sidewall tears exposing the cords. This sudden failure of multiple tyres points to localized rubber degradation or severe impact damage, interrupting an otherwise stable pattern of routine test passes stretching back to 2014. Accumulating approximately 6,732 miles per year over its lifespan, the vehicle exhibits a mileage profile that aligns closely with typical UK driving habits for a large luxury SUV of this era. However, a significant testing gap of nearly three years appears between July 2015 and May 2017, followed by another substantial lapse from June 2019 to June 2021. These prolonged intervals without recorded MOT data indicate periods where the vehicle may have been laid up off the road, stored, or operated without a valid test certificate, necessitating careful physical inspection of components susceptible to environmental stagnation. Given the dual tyre failure recorded in 2022 and the vehicle-wide weight associated with this platform, a rigorous inspection of the running gear and suspension is mandatory during your pre-purchase evaluation. Check the inner and outer sidewalls of all four matching or mismatched tyres for cracking, age-related perishing, or structural deformation. During the test drive, listen closely for clunks, knocks, or excessive float from the air suspension system, and pay attention to any lateral pulling under braking or steering wander, which would indicate worn control arm bushes or ball joints under heavy load. Furthermore, inspect the underbody chassis rails and subframe structures for corrosion, a common affliction for heavy four-wheel-drive vehicles of this vintage, ensuring that previous periods of inactivity have not accelerated structural degradation. Verify that the electronic air suspension rises and lowers smoothly across all height settings and that the transmission shifts without hesitation or slipping. A complete cold start should be performed to check for any delayed oil pressure warnings or excessive smoke emissions from the powertrain, ensuring that the engine and ancillaries operate reliably despite the gaps in historical test tracking.