2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7L Diesel · H22 PAP

The defining mechanical story for this 2006 Range Rover Sport centres on emerging wear in the drivetrain and rear hub area rather than any clean roadworthiness narrative. The most recent activity on file, dated 9 July 2024, shows both a pass and a failure recorded on the same day, which typically indicates a rectification at the test station: a near-side front position lamp was flagged as not working and the vehicle initially failed on that item. Prior to that, the 2023 test was a mixed result. A near-side front inner drive shaft CV boot was recorded as split and no longer preventing ingress of dirt, which is a classic MOT failure point on high-mileage SUVs, and this was accompanied by an advisory for slight play in the off-side rear wheel bearing. The 2022 test was a clean pass with no defects, so the trend is one of gradually accumulating advisories and component wear rather than any outright structural or braking failure, but the drivetrain boots and rear hub are clearly areas developing concern. Against an age of around twenty years, the recorded 173,628 miles equates to roughly 8,681 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with the national average for a vehicle of this vintage. The testing record shows entries in 2022, 2023, and 2024, indicating the vehicle has been in regular use and presented for testing consistently over recent years, with no multi-year lay-up that would raise separate concerns about seized brakes, perished fuel lines, or a flat battery. The mileage between tests appears broadly linear, which is consistent with steady daily use rather than the stop-start pattern that can sometimes be associated with short-trip urban driving or extended periods off the road. For a vehicle of this age and mileage, the pattern is unremarkable in mileage terms, and the mechanical focus should be on component wear rather than usage anomalies. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the items the MOT history has already flagged, beginning with the drivetrain. The 2023 failure for a split near-side front inner CV boot is the kind of defect that, if left, leads to grease loss, contamination, and eventual joint failure. Even if replaced, the surrounding area should be inspected for residual grease fling, and the buyer should listen for any clicking or knocking from the front drivetrain during tight low-speed turns on a test drive. The off-side rear wheel bearing advisory is equally important. Slight play at the time of test will almost certainly have progressed over the intervening period, and on a road test it is worth listening for a drone that rises and falls with road speed, particularly when cornering under load, and feeling for any vagueness or wander through the steering. Beyond the items already recorded, the test drive should include a thorough assessment of the suspension and underbody, areas that are not directly visible during an MOT but are commonly affected on a high-mileage Range Rover Sport. Listen for clonks or squeaks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which can point to worn lower wishbone bushes, drop links, or air suspension components if fitted. The brakes should be checked for any pulling to one side under firm pedal pressure, any pulsing through the pedal that would indicate warped front discs, and any binding or reluctance of the calipers to release. Given the rear wheel bearing advisory, the handbrake should also be tested on an incline to confirm it holds the vehicle securely, as a worn bearing can affect the accuracy of the rear brake adjustment. Finally, with the vehicle now over two decades old, an underbody inspection on a ramp is strongly advisable to check for corrosion on the rear subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and fuel lines, as these are areas where MOT testers would not necessarily record advisories until corrosion becomes advanced, but which represent the most significant long-term integrity risks for a vehicle of this age and mileage.