2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 2.0L Diesel · G9 AFO

A persistent pattern of front suspension deterioration is the defining mechanical story of this Range Rover Velar, with track rod end ball joint defects appearing across three separate tests spanning from 2023 through 2026. The earliest advisory in March 2023 noted slight play in the nearside front joint, followed by a major failure in March 2024 for excessive play in the same nearside joint, and culminating in a presentable failure on 29 May 2026 when dust covers on both nearside and offside front track rod end ball joints were found to be no longer preventing the ingress of dirt. Although the most recent test on 29 May 2026 recorded a pass with no defects following the rectification of the immediate failures, the recurrence of identical or related steering linkage concerns across multiple years points to a component area subject to ongoing wear. This history should not be interpreted as a one-off issue resolved and forgotten; rather, it represents a recurring advisory theme that warrants close physical inspection. The recorded mileage of 88,358 miles over approximately eight years equates to an average of around 11,000 miles per annum, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and class. The testing history shows consistent annual MOT activity from 2021 onwards, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, so the mileage progression can be treated as representative of regular use rather than a long lay-up followed by sudden high-mileage accumulation. One notable point is the gap between the 2021-12-22 test and the 2023-03-06 test, with no MOT recorded in 2022, which could indicate either that the vehicle was less than three years old at the most recent prior test or that it was not presented for testing during that calendar year. Given the mileage on record, mechanical wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes should be considered proportionate to the distance covered. For a prospective buyer, the front steering and suspension assembly should be the primary focus of any physical inspection and test drive, given the repeated track rod end ball joint advisories. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to any knocking or clonking noises from the front wheels when traversing speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or potholes, as well as any vagueness, wander, or lack of self-centring in the steering. Uneven or accelerated tyre wear on the front pair, steering pull to one side under braking or acceleration, and any visible play when the steering is rocked with the wheels off the ground would all be consistent with worn or failing track rod end ball joints. The nearside front joint was specifically flagged in both 2023 and 2024, so it is reasonable to ask for evidence of which components have been replaced, whether genuine or pattern parts were used, and whether the work was carried out by a specialist familiar with the Velar's suspension geometry. Additional items from the record deserve attention during inspection, even though they were either resolved or advisory in nature. The 2024-03-27 test included a major windscreen defect affecting the driver's view, which would have required replacement or repair before the subsequent pass, and any subsequent stone chip damage or cracking in the driver's swept area should be examined closely. The cut in the nearside rear tyre recorded in 2024 and the nearside front edge wear advisory in 2025 both point to regular tyre monitoring being required, and a check of all four tyres for age, manufacture date, and even wear across the tread is worthwhile. Given the Velar's known susceptibility to suspension component wear at this mileage bracket, an independent pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle on a ramp, allowing visual access to the front subframe, control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and brake pipes for any corrosion or fluid leakage, would be a prudent step before committing to purchase.