2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7L Diesel · RV56 HZP

The 2006 Range Rover Sport currently holds a valid MOT that passed on 15 December 2023 at 122,932 miles, but the maintenance trend is not reassuring. The very first attempt two days earlier on 13 December 2023 at the same recorded mileage failed with a brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level significantly below minimum and a brake performance test that could not be completed. This suggests a last-minute fluid top-up rather than a proper repair of the underlying cause. The tester also flagged an offside rear brake disc that was worn, pitted, or scored, though not seriously weakened. The fact that the car returned two days later with the same mileage and passed implies only minimal remedial work was carried out, and the root cause of the fluid loss was not addressed. A vehicle of this age and type demands thorough brake system inspection before any purchase commitment is made. The mileage pattern tells a story of very low recent use. Between the August 2022 test at 121,227 miles and the December 2023 test at 122,932 miles, the vehicle covered just 1,705 miles over approximately sixteen months. Prior to that, the annual mileage was more consistent, moving from 114,855 miles in July 2020 to 117,180 miles in August 2021 and then to 121,227 miles in August 2022, averaging around 3,200 miles per year. The sharp drop in recent mileage raises the possibility of long periods standing, which is particularly problematic for a vehicle of this age. Diesel engines and air suspension systems on the Range Rover Sport suffer from disuse, with seals drying out, condensation building in fuel systems, and air springs developing micro-cracks from sitting in one position. Several recurring faults deserve close physical inspection. The offside rear brake disc condition flagged in December 2023, combined with the dangerously low reservoir level and failed brake performance test, points to a braking system that has been neglected. A buyer should have the rear calipers checked for binding, the brake lines inspected for leaks or corrosion, and the fluid flushed to establish whether moisture ingress has degraded the system. The August 2021 advisory for power steering fluid below minimum is another concern, as the hydraulic steering system on these vehicles is prone to rack and pump wear when fluid levels are not maintained. The July 2020 test recorded a smell of exhaust gases entering the cabin along with a visible exhaust leak, plus corrosion on the offside inner sill. Exhaust gas ingress into the cabin is a serious health and safety matter, and any remaining exhaust leak must be traced and repaired. The inner sill corrosion advisory from 2020 has not been revisited in subsequent tests, so its current extent is unknown and warrants a detailed underbody inspection with a torch and probe. The suspension also shows a pattern of wear. The July 2020 advisory for an offside front suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement has not appeared again, but on a vehicle with this mileage and age, bush degradation is expected and progressive. The air suspension compressor, springs, and valve block should all be operationally tested, with the vehicle left standing overnight to check for leaks. Tyre condition has been flagged twice, once for a nail in the nearside rear in 2021 and once for sidewall damage and perishing on both tyres in 2020. Failing on tyre condition twice in consecutive years suggests basic pre-check maintenance was not being performed by the keeper. Overall, this record indicates a vehicle that has been driven gently in recent years but not maintained to a standard that inspires confidence. A full independent inspection covering brakes, steering, exhaust structural integrity, and air suspension is essential before any commitment.