2004 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · AX04 UOA

A clean and uninterrupted pass record across all three recorded MOT tests gives this Land Rover Discovery a reassuringly strong roadworthiness profile for its age and mileage. The most recent test on 9 February 2026 was passed with no advisories or defects recorded, continuing the trend established at the previous examinations in December 2021 and December 2022. The absence of any flagged advisories over a five-year testing window suggests that, at least on the day of test, the vehicle met all statutory requirements for lighting, braking, steering, suspension, exhaust emissions, and structural integrity without any component being identified as approaching the failure threshold. For a 22-year-old vehicle of this type, such an unbroken clean sheet is notable and points to consistent maintenance or, at minimum, diligent pre-test preparation. That said, MOT history only captures what was inspected on the day and cannot speak to wear items that were within tolerance but may now require attention given intervening mileage. With 167,720 miles recorded against an age of roughly 22 years, this Discovery has accumulated mileage at an average rate of approximately 7,600 miles per year, which sits squarely within typical usage parameters for a vehicle of this vintage and class. The testing pattern shows gaps between 2022 and 2026, with no MOT recorded for either 2023, 2024, or 2025, which suggests the vehicle was either not legally required to be tested during that period or was possibly off the road. A multi-year absence from testing on an older Land Rover of this type warrants closer scrutiny, as prolonged standing can lead to degraded brake fluid, perished rubber components, seized calipers, and dry rot in suspension bushes. The mileage gap itself cannot be verified without a full V5C history, so any prospective buyer should cross-reference the recorded mileages against the MOT certificates to ensure no clock discrepancies and to confirm whether mileage accumulated steadily or in clusters. Given the clean MOT sheet, buyer-side guidance must focus on the known ageing weaknesses typical of the Discovery 2 platform that MOT testing does not always catch until they become severe. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the characteristic front suspension, listening for clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces, feeling for vague steering, and checking for uneven tyre wear which often indicates worn ball joints, track rod ends, or the well-documented weak front radius arms and bushes. The air suspension system, if fitted, should be observed rising smoothly from rest with no compressor over-run, and the vehicle should sit level when stationary. Underneath, inspect the chassis rails, outriggers, and rear cross-member for corrosion, as structural integrity on Discovery 2s is a recurring concern, and also examine the rear A-frame and trailing arm bushes for perishing. Brake performance should be evaluated dynamically by feeling for pulling to one side under firm application, any pulsation through the pedal suggesting warped front discs, and the handbrake's ability to hold the vehicle on an incline, as rear caliper mechanisms are prone to seizing on neglected examples. On cold start, observe for excessive exhaust smoke which could indicate piston ring or turbo wear, and listen for timing chain rattle from the Td5 or V8 engine depending on specification, as well as any clonking from the transfer box or front propshaft engaging four-wheel drive. Fluid leaks from the engine, gearbox, transfer box, and axle seals should be checked on the underbody, and the condition of all coolant and oil hoses assessed for brittleness. Finally, verify the operation of the centre differential lock and any electronic traction aids, as faults in these systems are common and can be costly to rectify, ensuring the vehicle's off-road credentials and on-road behaviour remain sound.