2005 Land Rover Discovery 2.7L Diesel · RF55 DHL
2005 Land Rover Discovery (2.7L, diesel). First registered 01 Sept 2005. Recorded mileage 167,856 miles. MOT expired on 27 May 2025. Taxed until 01 Dec 2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
- Year / Origin
- 2005 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 27 May 2025
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Dec 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 167,856 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.7L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
RF55 DHL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 24/06/2025
- 167,856 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 22 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (20 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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RF55 DHL Mileage History
- 10/05/2023158,220 mi
- 09/05/2024163,253 mi+5,033 mi
- 29/05/2024163,291 mi+38 mi
- 29/05/2024163,291 mi
- 24/06/2025167,856 mi+4,565 mi
Average of roughly 4,533 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
RF55 DHL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2005 Land Rover Discovery (RF55 DHL) between May 2023 and June 2025.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 24 June 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (20 issues), Steering (5 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Bodywork (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 30 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: “Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt ”; “Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Nearside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution before purchasing this vehicle. The recent MOT history shows a pattern of frequent failures, including a failure in June 2025 despite no specific defects being listed in the summary provided.
A thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential for this 2.7L diesel Discovery. Because the MOT history shows multiple failures in a short window (May 2024 to June 2025), you should request specific details on what caused the 2025 failure, as the summary provided does not list the defects.
Negotiate based on the high mileage and the frequency of MOT issues. Ensure you check the service history for evidence of timing belt changes and turbocharger maintenance, which are critical for this engine type at this mileage. Do not rely solely on the MOT pass; look for evidence of consistent maintenance to mitigate the risks associated with this model's age.
Running costs for this 2720cc diesel Land Rover are expected to be high. Expect significant expenditure on fuel due to the large engine displacement and the weight of the Discovery chassis.
Tax and insurance will likely fall into higher brackets given the engine size and model type. Maintenance costs are typically higher than average for a vehicle of this age, especially when accounting for potential repairs to suspension, braking systems, or diesel engine components. An estimated annual running cost is likely to be substantial.
Focus your inspection on the common failure points identified in the wider model aggregate data, specifically headlamps, brake hoses, and signs of corrosion. Given the 167,856 miles on the clock, check the underside of the vehicle thoroughly for structural rust.
Additionally, because the MOT history shows a failure in June 2025 without listed defects, you must verify exactly what the tester found. Inspect the braking system and all lighting components, as these are statistically significant failure reasons for this model.
This 2005 Land Rover Discovery, finished in silver, has covered 167,856 miles as of its last MOT in June 2025. The vehicle's history is characterised by instability, with three MOT failures recorded between May 2024 and June 2025. Given the age and high mileage, the value proposition is heavily dependent on the immediate mechanical state which the MOT records do not fully clarify.
Aggregate data for this model shows an average MOT pass rate of 80.6%, with common issues including headlamps, brake hoses, and corrosion.
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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