1996 Land Rover Range Rover 2.5L Diesel · M88 KAA
1996 Land Rover Range Rover (2.5L, diesel). First registered 16 Dec 1996. Recorded mileage 126,224 miles. MOT valid until 03 Oct 2027. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Manchester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 03 Oct 2027
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 126,224 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
M88 KAA Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 02/10/2026
- 126,224 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 8 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
M88 KAA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Land Rover Range Rover (M88 KAA) between September 2024 and October 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 02 October 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (8 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Bodywork (6 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 28 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))”; “Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))”; “Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))”.
M88 KAA Mileage History
- 30/09/2024125,560 mi
- 15/09/2025126,075 mi+515 mi
- 26/09/2025126,075 mi
- 02/10/2026126,224 mi+149 mi
- 02/10/2026126,224 mi
Average of roughly 331 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for Land Rover Range Rover Classic
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Avoid this 1996 Land Rover Range Rover due to repeated MOT failures, significant corrosion, and high mileage for its age. The vehicle shows persistent mechanical and structural issues that suggest poor long-term reliability.
This vehicle requires extreme caution. Insist on a full mechanical inspection by a specialist with experience in classic Land Rovers. Check for rust under the chassis and in the sills, which are prone to corrosion. Verify service history for maintenance of the diesel engine and suspension system. Negotiate heavily due to the high risk of hidden repairs. Be wary of 'restoration' claims—many 1990s Range Rovers suffer from metal fatigue and poor rust protection.
As a 1996 diesel model, fuel economy is likely poor (around 20-25 mpg). Tax is likely zero (over 25 years old), but insurance group will be high due to the vehicle's value and parts cost. Maintenance expenses are significant: exhaust systems, brake hoses, and suspension components are prone to failure. Annual running costs could range from £1,500-£2,000, excluding major repairs.
Focus on the corrosion reported in the MOTs, particularly the sills and brake hoses. Check the exhaust system for leaks and the suspension bushes for wear. Inspect the steering system for play, as drag link issues were recorded. Look for rust in the underbody and wheel arches. Verify that the vehicle hasn't been involved in accidents (check VIN for accident reports). Test all lighting systems, as lamp failures were recorded.
This 1996 Range Rover has a high mileage of 126,075 miles and a MOT history marked by recurring brake, exhaust, and suspension issues. Corrosion on sills and repeated suspension bush wear indicate potential structural degradation. While the vehicle is a classic, its age and documented problems make it a high-risk purchase.
No aggregate data available for this specific model, but 1990s Land Rovers are known for corrosion issues, complex suspension systems, and high maintenance demands. Owners often report frequent repairs to exhausts, brakes, and bodywork.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (M88K Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as M88KAA.
NISSAN
QASHQAI
MERCEDES-BENZ
C
MERCEDES-BENZ
E
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
AUDI
A3
FORD
FIESTA
VAUXHALL
MOVANO
MINI
ONE
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
SEAT
ATECA
AUDI
A1
HONDA
FREED
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1996 model year cars.
- Steel Body Frame, Chassis and Bulkhead CorrosionSerious
Aluminium skin over a steel skeleton: Hagerty's Classic buying guide warns that the frame and chassis both rust and that even good-looking cars hide it, with the body mounts, rear crossmember, inner rear wheelarches, inner front wings and both sills the priority checks, and boot floors suspect on cars built after 1989. LandyZone owners describe the same failure starting as water ingress: the scuttle sealant under the bonnet top hardens and cracks, water pools behind the bulkhead and the rot travels into the dash supports and footwells. Section and frame repairs are labour-intensive, and corrosion advisories are the routine MOT failure.
- Rover V8 Head Gasket Failure and Liner MovementSerious
The Buick-derived Rover V8 is hardy until it overheats once. When the 3.5 block was over-bored to 3.9 roughly 200 thou was taken out of the aluminium that holds the cast-iron liners, and LandyZone members describe the block cracking around that interference fit - with symptoms identical to a blown head gasket, including a pressurised coolant system and, in bad cases, a metallic tap at piston speed once hot. RoverParts' Rover V8 head gasket guide lists the same trail: temperature spikes, gas pressurising the coolant, an outboard blow sounding like an exhaust leak, and heads and block needing machining after a serious overheat. Hagerty advises checking V8s for bottom-end knocks and timing chain rattle before buying.
- 200Tdi and 300Tdi Timing Belt AgeingSerious
Both Tdi engines are interference diesels driven by a toothed belt, and the factory interval is not what experienced owners work to: the LandyZone 300Tdi thread quotes Land Rover at 60,000–70,000 miles while most members 'reckon 36,000 is much safer', and Hagerty's Classic guide reduces it to a simple buying rule - confirm the belt has been changed within the last five years. Ageing ribs, a tired tensioner, oil dragged across the belt by the rear crank seal and the original crank pulley all cut its life; the forum recommends the modified pulley conversion kit that stops the belt slipping off. A snapped belt normally means bent valves and a stripped-down engine.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.