1997 Land Rover Discovery 2.5L Diesel · R846 VAJ
1997 Land Rover Discovery (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Dec 1997. Recorded mileage 208,625 miles. MOT expired on 28 Nov 2014. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 28 Nov 2014
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 208,625 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.
R846 VAJ Key Findings
- 13 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 02/12/2014
- 208,625 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R846 VAJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
13 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Discovery (R846 VAJ) between March 2006 and December 2014.
The record contains 8 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 02 December 2014 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (8 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Suspension (7 issues), Steering (3 issues), Bodywork (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 15 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: “Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)”; “Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)”; “Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)”.
R846 VAJ Mileage History
- 10/03/2006153,954 mi
- 28/02/2007159,500 mi+5,546 mi
- 02/03/2007159,500 mi
- 09/10/2007166,067 mi+6,567 mi
- 04/10/2008179,784 mi+13,717 mi
- 07/10/2008179,784 mi
- 05/10/2009192,923 mi+13,139 mi
- 22/09/2011198,467 mi+5,544 mi
- 05/11/2011198,466 mi-1 mi
- 19/11/2011198,472 mi+6 mi
- 07/02/2013201,301 mi+2,829 mi
- 29/11/2013203,666 mi+2,365 mi
- 02/12/2014208,625 mi+4,959 mi
Average of roughly 6,262 miles per year across 13 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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 Discovery 1 (LSE)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below 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.
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (R846 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as R846VAJ.
HONDA
VFR800 FI
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO
SUZUKI
GSF600
MBK
OVETTO
YAMAHA
FZS600
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
VAUXHALL
FRONTERA
JEEP
CHEROKEE TD SPORT
FORD
TRANSIT
MERCEDES-BENZ
SL
PEUGEOT
PARTNER
FIAT
PUNTO
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 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 1997 model year cars.
- Bodywork and Structural RustSerious
Inner front wings, wheel arches, sills, footwells and boot floor are highly prone to corrosion. The aluminium body panels hide steel underneath that rots badly.
- 300TDi Timing Belt FailureSerious
The 300TDi is an interference engine and timing belt failure causes valve-to-piston contact and catastrophic engine damage. Some belts have failed as early as 40,000 miles.
- Sunroof Leaks and Headlining SagModerate
Blocked sunroof drain tubes cause water to pour into the cabin, damaging electrics and causing rust. The headlining sags on later (1994+) models.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.