2009 Land Rover Discovery 2.7L Diesel · DK09 MWG

A clear pattern of steering and suspension wear has emerged across the recorded test history of this 2009 Land Rover Discovery, with the most recent pass on 15 January 2026 highlighting a concerning accumulation of issues around the front axle. The latest test flagged play in both steering rack inner joints, a slight play in the offside front track rod end ball joint, a corroded nearside rear brake pipe, and a nearside front tyre worn down to 3mm on the edge. Looking further back, steering linkage ball joint play has been flagged on both sides at the 2018, 2020, and 2021 tests, and the rear upper suspension arm pin or bush has been an advisory on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2021. No outright failures have been recorded across seven tests, but the steady drumbeat of chassis-related advisories, particularly those clustering around the steering system in successive recent tests, suggests progressive wear that a buyer should not dismiss as cosmetic. The recorded mileage of 192,194 miles over roughly seventeen years equates to an annual accumulation of around 11,300 miles, which sits comfortably within the expected band for a vehicle of this age and type. However, the gap between the March 2020 test and the November 2018 entry preceding it indicates a two-year absence from testing, which can sometimes suggest periods of reduced use, SORN status, or simply missed tests before the 2023 deadline. Given that the Discovery has covered substantial overall mileage, the wear pattern visible in the MOT record is consistent with what one would expect from a working utility vehicle: consumables such as front brake pads and tyres have been flagged as wearing thin repeatedly (in 2020, 2021, and most recently on the nearside front tyre in 2026), while chassis components including steering linkages and rear upper suspension bushes have accumulated play over the years. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front steering and suspension geometry during a test drive, given the recurring advisories on both inner rack joints and the track rod end ball joint. Listen for any knocking or clonking from the front axle over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness, wandering, or delay in the steering response, particularly around the straight-ahead position where excess play in the rack or track rod ends is most apparent. With the latest advisory noting play on both sides, a specialist should ideally measure the actual lash in the rack inner joints and check the track rod end wear beyond the MOT visual threshold. The 2024 minor defect for a deteriorated nearside front inner driveshaft CV boot should also be verified visually, as a torn boot left unattended leads to joint contamination and eventual failure, often first noticed as a clicking or rhythmic knocking under sharp cornering on full lock. The rear upper suspension arm bush advisories spanning 2018 through 2021, combined with the corroded nearside rear brake pipe recorded in 2026, warrant close physical inspection. With the vehicle jacked or on a ramp, check the offside rear upper arm bush for any cracking, splitting, or measurable movement beyond the MOT pass threshold, and run a hand along the nearside rear brake pipe to assess whether the corrosion noted is purely surface-level or has begun to pit the metal, which would necessitate replacement rather than cleaning. Brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent during the test drive, with no sponginess suggesting air ingress from a corroded pipe joint. Finally, given the Discovery's known susceptibility to chassis and subframe corrosion in later life, a thorough examination of the rear cross-member, outriggers, and sill seams for any hidden structural oxidation is strongly advised before purchase.