2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7L Diesel · FP06 KCY

The mechanical story of this 2006 Range Rover Sport is one of consistent roadworthiness, with the official DVSA record showing three passes against only one failure over the most recent testing cycle. The 2024-09-27 pass, which followed just thirteen days after a fail on 2024-09-14 where no specific defects were recorded by the testing station, suggests the earlier refusal was likely resolved through a minor rectification rather than any deep mechanical concern. Across the 2022 and 2023 cycles, the vehicle passed without any advisories or defects recorded at all, which for a twenty-year-old SUV of this complexity and weight is a notable track record. However, the absence of recorded advisory data should not be interpreted as a guaranteed clean bill of health, as MOT testing is non-invasive and many worn components on this model, particularly in the air suspension, driveline, and underbody, can pass a standard test while still being close to the threshold of acceptable service life. With 138,528 miles recorded over roughly twenty years of life, the vehicle has averaged approximately 6,926 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical usage bracket for a luxury SUV of this vintage. The annual accumulation is consistent enough to indicate regular rather than sporadic use, which is generally beneficial for keeping seals, oils, and complex electronic components such as the Terrain Response system, electronic air struts, and transfer case actuators working as intended. There are no apparent gaps in the recorded testing history within the supplied data, and the mileage progression between tests does not show any sudden jumps that might suggest clocking or discrepancies. For a Range Rover Sport of this age and mileage, the engine, automatic transmission, and permanent four-wheel-drive system have collectively covered a substantial working life, and wear on internal drivetrain components should be assumed proportionate to the odometer reading rather than the calendar age. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to concentrate on during a physical inspection should be the air suspension system, including the air struts, compressor, and valve block, as these are known wear points on this generation and rarely surface as advisories until they fail outright. Listen for the compressor running excessively after the engine is switched off, and observe whether the vehicle settles unevenly overnight, both of which indicate leaking struts or dried reservoir diaphragms. On a test drive, pay close attention to any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as the front lower wishbones, bushes, and anti-roll bar drop links are prone to wear on high-mileage examples and can produce audible impacts without necessarily failing an MOT. Steering should feel precise without excessive play, wandering, or vibration through the wheel, particularly under braking, which would suggest worn front hub assemblies, track rod ends, or brake disc warping. The braking system warrants careful scrutiny given the vehicle's weight and age, with a focus on the discs and pads, the rear calipers which are known to bind on this model, and the flexible brake pipes and hard lines along the chassis for any corrosion or swelling. During a test drive, the pedal should feel firm without excessive travel or any sponginess, and there should be no pulling to one side under heavy braking, which would indicate a seized caliper slide or uneven pad wear. Underneath the vehicle, inspect the subframe mounting points, the outriggers, and the chassis rails for corrosion, paying particular attention to the areas behind the front wheels and around the spring mounts, as these are recognised rot zones on older Range Rover Sports. Finally, check the engine and transmission oil levels on the dipstick, look for any signs of oil misting around the cam covers and the valley gasket, and verify smooth gearchanges from the automatic transmission, as any hesitation, flare, or harsh engagement would indicate internal degradation commensurate with the recorded mileage.