1998 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R482 AOF
1998 Land Rover Discovery (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/04/1998. Recorded mileage 211,788 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- MOT Status
- Valid until 30/10/2024
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 211,788 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 2495cc
R482 AOF Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 18/11/2024
- 211,788 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 13 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring bodywork & corrosion items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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R482 AOF Mileage History
- 16/10/2021205,977 mi
- 21/10/2022206,718 mi+741 mi
- 25/10/2023209,234 mi+2,516 mi
- 18/11/2024211,788 mi+2,554 mi
Average of roughly 1,880 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
R482 AOF MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Land Rover Discovery (R482 AOF) between October 2021 and November 2024.
The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 18 November 2024 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Bodywork (5 issues), Windscreen (4 issues), Brakes (4 issues), Steering (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 9 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: “Bumper damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted n/s/r quarter panel (6.1.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced ”; “Offside Front Body insecure wing (6.2.2 (a) (i))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Strong caution is advised. This vehicle
Potential buyers must prioritise the structural integrity of the chassis and body. The 2024 MOT failure for 'integral body structure corroded' on both the front and rear inner arches (both sides) is a major red flag for a vehicle of this age. You should demand evidence of professional welding and rust-proofing before proceeding.
Additionally, check the interior for the missing rear seats and the removed steering column guard mentioned in the latest test. Negotiate the price heavily to account for the cost of a new windscreen, a complete parking brake overhaul, and the necessary structural repairs required to make the vehicle roadworthy.
The 2495cc diesel engine provides the utility expected of a Discovery, but fuel economy will be modest by modern standards. Maintenance costs for a high-mileage Land Rover are typically high, particularly given the recorded rear differential oil leaks and suspension corrosion seen in the MOT history.
Annual costs will include a higher-bracket road tax for a 1998 diesel and insurance that varies by group. Given the age and the volume of required repairs indicated by the latest MOT, the estimated annual running cost is likely to be elevated.
The primary inspection must focus on the inner arches; the MOT history explicitly lists corrosion in the front and rear arches on both the nearside and offside as a reason for failure. Use a torch and a probe to check the extent of the rust beyond the areas mentioned.
Inspect the parking brake system, as it was recorded with less than 50% efficiency in 2024. Check the rear differential for the oil leaks noted in 2022 and 2023, and examine the windscreen for the damage that has been an advisory or failure point across multiple years of testing.
This 1998 Green Land Rover Discovery Diesel has recorded 211,788 miles. While it passed its tests between 2021 and 2023, the November 2024 MOT failure reveals severe structural corrosion across all four inner arches and a parking brake with efficiency below 50%. The vehicle's history also shows recurring issues with a damaged windscreen and rear differential oil leaks.
The Discovery has an average MOT pass rate of 80.6%, with common failure points typically involving headlamps and suspension arms.
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
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