1997 Land Rover Range Rover 2.5L Diesel · R597 CAC

A pattern of chronic front suspension wear and gradually deteriorating braking components defines the mechanical record of this 29-year-old Range Rover. Across multiple test cycles the front axle has consistently drawn advisories relating to suspension arm pins, rubber bushes, ball joint dust covers, and front axle tie bar bushes, indicating progressive wear in the primary load-bearing suspension linkages that are characteristic high-mileage concerns on this chassis. The braking system has compounded this concern, with all four brake discs flagged as pitted or scored in the 2025 tests before the most recent pass on 2026-02-23 recorded thin front brake pads on both sides. Although the latest test was a pass with no failures, the trajectory of advisories is not reassuring, and a prospective buyer should not interpret this record as a clean bill of health. The recorded mileage of 151,818 miles against a 29-year vehicle age equates to approximately 5,235 miles per year, which is unusually low for a working vehicle of this type and may reflect extended periods off the road or very limited seasonal use. The MOT history itself reveals a significant testing gap between March 2019 and March 2024, during which no DVSA tests were recorded, suggesting the vehicle was either unroadworthy, SORN, or otherwise not presented for testing for roughly five years. For a Range Rover of this vintage, such a lay-up is particularly significant because prolonged standing accelerates corrosion in ferrous components, dries out rubber suspension and sealing elements, and can lead to seized brake calipers, perished hoses, and deteriorated fuel lines. The relatively low annual mileage figure should therefore be viewed with caution rather than as an indicator of light mechanical wear. The repeated advisories on the front suspension warrant close physical inspection before purchase. The wear noted in the nearside and offside front suspension arm pins and bushes, the deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both lower and upper arms, and the worn front axle tie bar bushes all point to a chassis that has accumulated fatigue in its primary steering and suspension joints. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and potholes, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering that would indicate excessive play in the tie bar or arm bushes. Have the vehicle placed on a ramp if possible to physically check the front subframe and chassis legs for corrosion, as structural integrity issues are a known concern on vehicles of this age and the MOT record cannot fully exclude hidden rot behind fitted panels. The braking system requires equally careful scrutiny, given the progression from pitted and scored discs on all four corners to thin front pads within a single annual cycle. On a road test, the buyer should check for any pulling to one side under braking, which may indicate a binding caliper or a seized brake hose, and feel for pulsation through the brake pedal that would confirm the scored disc condition has worsened to the point of measurable run-out. The earlier advisory regarding corroding rear brake hose ferrules should be specifically examined, as corroded ferrules can compromise brake line integrity and may have deteriorated further during the five-year testing gap. Additionally, with the vehicle's age and known history of standing, it would be prudent to inspect the fuel lines, radiator, and underbonnet rubber components for perishing, and to check for oil leaks from the engine and transfer box which are common on Range Rovers of this era and were not specifically captured in the MOT advisory list.