2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7L Diesel · FT09 MHZ

The Range Rover Sport presents a clean MOT history over the past two years, with the most recent test in January 2024 at 107,311 miles passing without any defects. This consistency suggests the vehicle has been maintained to meet minimum roadworthiness standards, though the absence of advisories or minor faults in the latest records leaves unanswered questions about routine servicing beyond legal requirements. The back-to-back failures in January 2023—both at under 95,000 miles—are unusual, as they occurred within days of each other with no recorded issues, implying either a clerical error or an extremely minor oversight corrected immediately. Given the lack of recurring advisories or major defects, there’s no clear trend of worsening mechanical concerns, but the sparse data means potential hidden wear cannot be ruled out. The mileage accumulation of roughly 6,300 miles per year aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age, though the rapid jump from 91,772 miles in January 2022 to 94,622 miles in January 2023 suggests either a period of heavier use or a delay in recording. The subsequent tests show steady mileage increases, with no red flags for excessive wear from high annual mileage. However, the absence of mileage drops or long gaps between tests—common in vehicles left unused for extended periods—implies the car has been in regular, if not particularly demanding, service. Without service history beyond MOTs, a buyer should verify if major components like the differential, transfer case, or suspension have been addressed, as these are critical wear points for a 17-year-old 4x4. Given the clean but minimal MOT record, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should prioritise the suspension system, including coil springs, anti-roll bars, and bushings, which are prone to fatigue in off-road-capable vehicles. The braking system—particularly the rear calipers and discs—should be checked for binding or uneven wear, as the January 2023 failures hint at potential minor issues resolved without formal recording. Structural corrosion, especially around wheel arches, sills, and the underbody, is another high-risk area for this model, particularly if previous owners neglected regular underseal or rust treatments. While the MOTs show no major defects, the lack of advisories on exhaust emissions or fluid leaks could mask underlying problems in the diesel particulate filter, turbocharger, or cooling system, all of which are common failure points in this generation.