2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2L Diesel · ML12 VUG

The defining mechanical story of this Evoque is one of chronic chassis and tyre wear, with the suspension and rubber components flagging advisories at almost every annual test and culminating in a failed certificate as recently as 21 April 2026. That latest test produced a Dangerous failure for a torn offside front inner tyre caused by structural separation, alongside advisories for thinning rear brake pads and a nearside rear inner tyre worn on its edge. The 2025 test cycle was particularly telling, with a Major defect recorded for a fractured nearside front coil spring, paired with advisories for corroded rear coil springs and split front suspension arm bushes on both sides. Across the five recorded MOT events there are four separate tyre advisories, two dangerous tyre failures, and a clustering of front suspension arm bush and coil spring defects, painting a clear picture of suspension and rolling stock that has been working hard and deteriorating progressively. The 2026 pass itself only followed immediate rectification of the dangerous tyre, so there is no meaningful period of unannotated roadworthiness to take confidence from. By contrast, the powertrain, braking, exhaust, lighting, and structural body items have produced no advisories across the same period, which confines the mechanical risk almost entirely to the suspension, steering, and tyre condition. With 120,986 miles recorded against 14 years of age, the vehicle has averaged roughly 8,642 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age bracket. There are no extended gaps in the testing record that would imply long periods laid up, and the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than sporadic. That level of annual mileage on a vehicle of this type is sufficient to put meaningful wear into the original rubber components, bushes, and coil springs, and the MOT evidence aligns with that expectation. The components failing and flagging across these tests are exactly the items that degrade with road use and age rather than neglect, which means a prospective buyer should view the recorded figures as a reasonable proxy for wear rather than as evidence of low mechanical stress. A buyer should approach this vehicle expecting to address the suspension and tyre package as a priority. The fractured nearside front coil spring flagged in 2025 and the corrosion advisories on both rear coil springs the same year indicate that the spring set has likely been replaced at the front and may be approaching renewal at the rear. The split front suspension arm bushes on both sides were noted as not resulting in excessive movement at the time of test, but splitting rubber progresses, so on a road test pay close attention to clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, cats eyes, and uneven road surfaces, and feel for vagueness or delay in the steering response. On the test drive, push the vehicle through faster corners and listen for any knocking, clunking, or creaking that suggests the bushes have loosened further, and check for uneven front tyre wear which would corroborate arm or bush deflection. The rear brake pad advisory is recent and only a matter of thickness, but it warrants inspection of the rear discs for lipping or corrosion, particularly given the higher annual mileage, and the binding caliper test should be performed by holding the rear brake pedal down firmly while pulling away in gear to confirm the rear calipers are releasing cleanly. The tyre history is the single most consistent red flag across the record and demands careful attention. Dangerous failures for exposed ply or cords in 2022 and a torn tyre from structural separation in 2026, combined with four separate advisories for edge wear, cracking, and perishing, indicate either a pattern of running tyres beyond their serviceable life or a tracking and suspension geometry issue that is destroying shoulders prematurely. On inspection, measure the tread depth across the full width of all four tyres rather than just the central tread, look for stepped wear between the inner and outer shoulders, and check the sidewalls closely for cracking or bulges. The offside front inner tyre failure in particular is consistent with a vehicle scrubbing its inside shoulders under load, which would again point back to worn front suspension geometry. A four-wheel alignment check and a close inspection of the front lower arm, ball joint, and anti-roll bar link condition should be treated as essential before purchase, and the buyer should budget for a full set of premium tyres as an immediate cost alongside any remaining suspension rectification.