1975 Rover Range Rover 3.5L Petrol · HFJ 116N

This 1975 Range Rover presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 13 August 2024 at 88,711 miles with zero defects recorded. That result is a significant turnaround from the vehicle's condition just seven years prior. The most recent test confirms the car currently meets all roadworthiness standards, with no active advisories or failures to concern a prospective buyer. The mileage profile tells a story of very light use punctuated by a notable gap. Between the June 2021 pass at 87,607 miles and the August 2024 pass at 88,711 miles, the vehicle covered just 1,104 miles over more than three years, suggesting prolonged stationary storage during that period. Prior to 2021, usage was similarly sparse, with only 774 miles added between February 2016 and March 2017. Annual accumulation of roughly 1,739 miles is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age, which reduces mechanical wear on the drivetrain and brakes but raises questions about the condition of perishable rubber components, seals, and fluid systems that degrade with time rather than use. The critical chapter in this vehicle's history is the failed test on 6 March 2017 at 87,051 miles. The tester identified excessive structural corrosion on the offside front chassis near the body mount and servo, the nearside rear inner wing near the seatbelt mount, and the offside rear inner wing near the seatbelt and body mounts. A contaminated nearside front brake disc and a faulty washer reservoir were also flagged. The subsequent pass on 16 March 2017, just ten days later, confirms these corrosion issues were addressed through welding or panel replacement, with only slight residual surface corrosion remaining. A buyer should still inspect the front inner wings, chassis mounts, and rear inner wings closely, checking for any signs of fresh corrosion, poor-quality repairs, or structural weakness around the seatbelt mounting points, which are critical load-bearing areas. Beyond the structural work, the 2017 failure flagged a brake disc contaminated by oil, indicating a past leak from a caliper seal or wheel bearing. With the vehicle having sat largely unused since 2021, a thorough inspection of the braking system is essential. The calipers, hoses, and master cylinder should be checked for seizure or internal corrosion, common in vehicles that stand for long periods. Equally, all rubber suspension bushes, ball joints, and tyres must be examined for perishing, as age-related deterioration poses a greater risk than wear on a vehicle with this mileage profile. The clean 2024 result is encouraging, but a pre-purchase inspection focused on structural integrity and dormant mechanical systems remains strongly advisable.