2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0L Diesel · LD59 VTZ

Chronic brake performance deficiencies and recurring rear suspension and hub concerns define the mechanical profile of this 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The most recent test on 29 July 2026 recorded a pass, but it was accompanied by two advisories: a rear oil leak noted as not yet excessive, and an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on its inner edge. Looking across the seven recorded tests since 2021, the pattern is mixed. The vehicle passed cleanly in 2022 and 2023 (after an initial wheel bearing failure was rectified) and again in 2024 with no defects, but in 2024 it also failed outright with brake efficiency recorded as both dangerous and below requirements, a serious safety finding that required immediate remedial work before a clean pass two days later. In 2025 the near-side rear brake was flagged as binding though not excessively, suggesting that the braking system has not returned to a fully settled condition following that major intervention. Against an age of seventeen years, the recorded mileage of 82,133 miles equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 4,800 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this type and vintage. The mileage history between tests shows only modest year-on-year increases, typically in the range of 3,000 to 8,000 miles between annual examinations, with no significant gaps or unusual jumps. Low mileage of this nature generally reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as the engine, gearbox and drivetrain, but it can also point to extended periods of standing, which on a Range Rover Sport of this age commonly brings its own concerns with brake calipers seizing, oil seals drying out, suspension bushes hardening, and hydraulic systems such as the active anti-roll system developing internal seepage. The MOT history directly reflects both sides of this trade-off, with brake binding and oil leaks both appearing in recent records. A prospective buyer should treat the braking system as the primary inspection priority. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front calipers, check for uneven pad wear by examining the discs through the wheel spokes, and feel for any pulling to one side under firm braking, particularly from the rear axle where binding has previously been flagged. A firm pedal with good bite is expected; a soft pedal or one that travels further than expected under sustained pressure would be a concern given the 2024 dangerous efficiency failure. The rear oil leak advisory should be investigated visually with the vehicle on a ramp, looking for fresh residue around the rear differential or transfer case, and the buyer should ask whether the source has been identified, as oil leaks on these vehicles can originate from differential seals, transfer box seals, or the rear half-shaft area, and ignoring them risks progression to a more costly repair. Suspension and underbody integrity deserve equally close attention. The 2021 advisory regarding the rear anti-roll bar hydraulic unit seepage relates to the active anti-roll bar system, a known wear area on this generation of Range Rover Sport, and a buyer should check for any warning messages on the dashboard relating to the suspension, any warning lights, and listen for hydraulic whining from the rear during start-up. The history of an offside front wheel bearing replacement in 2023 and a recurring pattern of inner-edge tyre wear at both rear and front axles points to potential tracking misalignment or worn suspension components such as control arm bushes, trailing arms, or the rear subframe mounting points, all of which are susceptible to corrosion and wear on high-mileage examples. The inner-edge tyre wear is a particularly useful diagnostic indicator; an inspection should look for uneven shoulder wear on all four tyres, and any knocking or clonking over speed humps or rough surfaces would suggest worn bushes or anti-roll bar links that warrant replacement.