2005 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4.2L Petrol · JO03 HES

A pattern of chronic brake-related deterioration defines this Range Rover Sport's roadworthiness record, with advisories on brake pipes and discs appearing across multiple consecutive tests and culminating in a failure with dangerous defects in August 2024. The most recent MOT on 6 October 2025 returned a pass, but it carried an advisory noting that the exhaust has been temporarily repaired, suggesting further attention is likely needed in that area. The August 2024 failure is particularly concerning: the nearside rear brake pads and offside rear brake pads were both recorded at less than 1.5 mm, classified as dangerous, alongside a leaking offside front brake pipe on the hydraulic system, also dangerous. The fact that brake pipe corrosion has been flagged every year since 2022, transitioning from advisory to outright failure, indicates ongoing deterioration of the hydraulic lines that has not been comprehensively resolved. Against a 21-year vehicle age, the recorded mileage of 95,172 miles equates to approximately 4,532 miles annually, which is notably low for a working SUV of this type and could reflect either light private use or extended periods of standing. There are no records showing a multi-year lay-up, but the annual accumulation rate is modest enough that certain components typical of higher-mileage wear, such as timing chains, clutch, or major suspension overhauls, may not yet have been heavily stressed. Conversely, low annual mileage on a vehicle of this age can bring its own concerns around dried rubber seals, aged flexible brake hoses, perished coolant and vacuum lines, and corroded underbody fixings, several of which appear consistent with the brake pipe corrosion advisories seen throughout the history. The gap between the 2023 and 2024 tests is small, indicating continuous use rather than storage. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection on the braking system, as this is the vehicle's clearest area of mechanical weakness. Verify that the previously leaking offside front brake pipe and corroded rear pipes were replaced with new copper-nickel or coated steel sections rather than patched, and inspect all flexible hoses for cracking or swelling, particularly at the wheel arches. On a test drive, listen for any squeal or grinding under moderate braking that would suggest the new pads have not been bedded in correctly or that the discs, last flagged as worn and pitted in 2024, still have insufficient material. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive, with no sponginess that would indicate air or moisture in the system; given the historical pipe corrosion, bleeding the system thoroughly is advisable. The suspension and underbody also warrant close attention on a test drive, as Range Rover Sports of this generation are prone to worn air suspension struts, failing compressor units, and tired anti-roll bar bushes. Listen for clonking or knocking noises over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the front, and observe whether the vehicle settles to its correct ride height promptly after start-up. Inspect the rear tyres carefully for perishing or cracking, as both rears were flagged in 2024, and check the offside front wheel bearing, which was noted as having slight play and noise back in 2022, for any persistent rumble that increases with speed. The temporary exhaust repair noted at the most recent test should be examined at close range to determine whether the joint, clamp, or section needs imminent replacement, as temporary fixes rarely endure through a full year of driving.