2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6L Diesel · MR55 ABJ

The most recent DVSA examination on 14 December 2023 returned a Pass, although a single advisory was raised against the nearside front suspension arm pin or bush, recorded as worn but not yet resulting in excessive movement. Looking at the three recorded tests on file, the trend is broadly stable rather than deteriorating, with clean passes in 2021 and 2022 and only this one minor advisory surfacing in the most recent assessment. There is no pattern of recurring failure points or escalating defect lists across consecutive examinations, which suggests the vehicle has been reasonably maintained throughout the recorded test history. However, the presence of any suspension advisory warrants close attention on a vehicle of this age and mileage, as wear in this area tends to progress once initiated. With 143,333 miles recorded over approximately 17 years, the vehicle has accumulated an annual average of around 8,431 miles, which sits broadly within the typical usage bracket for a car of its vintage. There is no evidence in the supplied records of rapid mileage accumulation or extended standing periods, indicating consistent use which is generally favourable for mechanical condition. Consistent driving patterns help prevent the issues associated with low-use vehicles, such as brake disc corrosion, seized calipers, and fluid degradation, although the overall mileage does mean that high-wear consumables and drivetrain components will have already been replaced at least once in the vehicle's life. A buyer should still expect ongoing maintenance attention to suspension, braking, and transmission systems given the total distance covered. The advisory concerning the nearside front suspension arm pin or bush should not be dismissed simply because the vehicle passed. Suspension bushes are load-bearing components that deteriorate progressively, and once movement becomes detectable at MOT threshold, replacement typically follows within a relatively short period. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during full steering lock application, and should also be alert to vague steering response or uneven front tyre wear, particularly on the nearside inner edge. It would be prudent to have the component inspected on a ramp prior to purchase to gauge how close it is to requiring replacement, as labour costs for suspension arm and bush replacement on a Range Rover Sport are not insignificant. Beyond the recorded advisory, a vehicle of this age and mileage requires thorough inspection of age-related items regardless of MOT outcome. Brake discs should be checked for lipping and corrosion, particularly on the rear axle if the vehicle has been used predominantly for road driving, and the caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism should be confirmed as free-moving. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as failures are common on vehicles of this vintage and can cause cascading electrical faults. All fluid services, including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and transfer box and differential oils, should be verified against age rather than purely mileage intervals, as calendar-based degradation affects their protective properties. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking and perishing even if tread depth remains adequate, as a 17-year-old tyre compound will have hardened considerably. Finally, it is worth confirming that the vehicle has a continuous main dealer or specialist service history, particularly evidence of timing chain replacement and transfer box servicing, both of which are known scheduled items on this model.