2012 Land Rover Range Rover 4.4L Diesel · EX12 TED

A remarkably sparse MOT history defines this 2012 Range Rover, with the DVSA records showing no advisories, no advisories at all across multiple tests, and no defect entries on either the passed or failed examinations. The most recent test on 12 January 2026 returned a pass alongside a same-day failure, both stamped with no defects recorded, which is a peculiar administrative pattern suggesting either a presentation issue that was immediately rectified on site or a duplicate entry rather than a mechanical concern. The previous three tests in 2024 and 2025 similarly returned clean passes with no advisories whatsoever, indicating that the recorded roadworthiness file is essentially empty, neither confirming chronic wear items nor reassuringly documenting the natural ageing of consumables one would expect on a 14 year old vehicle of this mileage. The absence of any advisory notes over four consecutive tests is unusual for a Range Rover of this vintage, where bushes, brake components, and corrosion advisories are commonplace, and it raises a legitimate concern that the vehicle may have been presented at different test stations or that records may be incomplete. Against an age of fourteen years, the recorded 122,566 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 8,755 miles, which sits comfortably within typical usage parameters for a luxury SUV of this class. There are no extended gaps between tests that would suggest prolonged off-road storage, and the consistent year-on-year testing pattern implies regular use rather than the sporadic driving that often accelerates rubber and polymer degradation on premium Land Rover products. At this mileage, mechanical wear on the air suspension system, driveline components, and major electrical modules is to be expected regardless of how clean the MOT file appears, as the test does not cover diagnostic deep scans, air spring bag integrity beyond visible damage, or the complex electronics that govern the vehicle's terrain response and ride height functions. Buyers should therefore treat the clean paper trail as a starting point rather than a guarantee of underlying mechanical health, particularly given that Range Rovers of this generation are known for component failures that fall outside the MOT scope. From an inspection standpoint, the lack of any recorded brake, suspension, or corrosion advisories means a prospective buyer cannot rely on the test history to pre-empt specific known weaknesses. A thorough physical inspection should focus on the air suspension compressor for signs of excessive runtime and the condition of the air springs themselves, listening for the compressor to engage promptly on startup and feeling for the vehicle to settle and level smoothly without a noticeable lean. Steering response should be evaluated for any vagueness or delay that would indicate wear in the front suspension arms or anti-roll bar linkages, areas frequently found deteriorated on vehicles at this age. On a test drive, any knocking over uneven surfaces, vibration through the steering wheel, or uneven ride quality after the vehicle has been stationary would warrant immediate further investigation. Brake feel should be tested for a firm pedal with no excessive travel, and the vehicle should pull up in a straight line without steering deviation under heavy braking, which would indicate binding calipers or uneven pad wear. Under the bonnet, oil leaks from the cam carriers or sump area are common on the 4.4 diesel and 5.0 petrol variants and should be inspected for fresh seepage. Tyres should be examined for even wear across the tread, as uneven shoulder wear often points to suspension geometry issues or tracking misalignment. Finally, a thorough underside examination by a ramp-based specialist is strongly recommended to assess subframe integrity, brake pipe corrosion, and any structural concerns that the MOT test may not have captured, particularly given the absence of any advisory history to guide those checks.