2014 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2L Diesel · RN02 FAY

A persistent and unresolved steering roughness has been flagged at every single MOT test recorded for this Range Rover Evoque from 2023 onwards, marking it as the defining mechanical concern in the vehicle's history. The 2026 test on 9 February produced both a pass and a fail on the same day; the pass still carried the steering roughness advisory alongside two front tyres worn to near-legal limits on their edges, while the fail was driven by a nearside rear outer brake pad measured at less than 1.5 mm, classified as Dangerous. This was not an isolated failure, as the 2025 test followed the same dual pass and fail pattern on consecutive days, with the advisory list that year showing front and rear brake discs worn and pads wearing thin across all four corners. The pattern across 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 demonstrates a steadily accumulating list of advisories rather than improvements, with brake wear appearing to track towards the dangerous failure recorded at the most recent test. With twelve years on the road and 94,366 miles recorded, this Evoque has covered approximately 7,864 miles per year, a figure that sits broadly within the expected range for its age and does not suggest either prolonged standing or particularly heavy use. There are no significant gaps in the MOT timeline between 2022 and 2026, indicating the vehicle has been in continuous use and subjected to regular annual testing throughout this period. The mileage accumulation therefore reflects steady utilisation rather than any unusual usage profile, although the recurrence of brake and tyre wear advisories is consistent with a vehicle that is being driven regularly enough to consume components at a normal rate. For a prospective buyer, the steering roughness advisory that has appeared across four consecutive test cycles is the priority item to investigate on a physical inspection. This warrants specific attention to the power steering system, including checking the rack and pinion for any signs of leaking fluid, examining the column coupling and universal joints for play, and feeling for any binding or uneven resistance during lock-to-lock rotation on a test drive. Any knocking, clunking, or looseness when traversing uneven surfaces would point towards worn suspension components such as control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or top mounts, all of which are common wear items on Evoques of this age and mileage. It is also worth requesting a startup from cold to observe any initial steering stiffness or whining from the electric power assistance system. The braking system warrants equally thorough scrutiny given the dangerous failure recorded at the most recent test and the cascade of brake-related advisories in 2025. A prospective buyer should physically inspect the nearside rear caliper, carrier, and slider mechanism for seizure or corrosion, as a pad wearing to less than 1.5 mm without being addressed suggests possible caliper binding preventing even pad wear. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping from the rear axle, and apply the brakes firmly at low speed to detect any pulling, juddering, or uneven retardation that would indicate warped discs or sticking calipers. Given the front tyres were recorded at just 3 mm and 3.5 mm at the last test, the replacement tyres should be confirmed as recent and a four-wheel alignment check considered to address the recurring inner-edge wear pattern observed on the front axle.