2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0L Diesel · SA66 CCK

The most recent MOT, carried out on 8 December 2025, was a pass, with only a minor advisory concerning items removed from the driver’s view. Over the last six years the vehicle has moved from a clean record in 2020 and 2021 to a failure in September 2022 that highlighted severely worn rear brake discs, tyre wear on the rear axle and an ineffective parking brake. Since that failure the MOT centre has recorded a series of advisories – principally corrosion of brake‑hose ferrules, wear on suspension arms, ball‑joint play and sub‑frame rust – but no further failures, indicating that the major faults have been addressed and the overall maintenance trend is stabilising rather than deteriorating. At ten years old the Discovery Sport has logged 65,994 miles, averaging roughly 6,600 miles per annum. This is close to the UK average for a vehicle of its age and suggests a moderate usage pattern rather than heavy daily running. The relatively low annual mileage may also imply periods of extended storage, which can accelerate corrosion on under‑body components and promote tyre side‑wall ageing. The mileage is low enough that many wear items such as clutch, timing chain and major engine components are unlikely to be near the end of their service life, but the vehicle’s age means that time‑based degradation must be considered. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the rear braking system. Although the rear discs were replaced or resurfaced after the 2022 failure, a visual inspection for scoring, rust or uneven thickness is essential, and the parking brake should be tested for firm, consistent engagement. All four brake hoses show slight corrosion at the ferrules; while this is not yet a failure, the condition can deteriorate quickly, especially in a vehicle that has spent time standing, so replacement of the hoses is advisable before they become a safety issue. During a test drive listen for any pulsation or shudder when applying the brakes, and feel for any softening of the pedal that could indicate fluid contamination. Examine the front lower suspension arms and the nearside ball‑joint for any play or creaking when steering over bumps, and check the rear sub‑frame for surface rust that might be progressing towards structural compromise. The rear exhaust heat‑shield should be secure; a rattling noise at speed would point to a loose or broken clip that needs fixing. Given the vehicle’s age, inspect the tyre tread depth and side‑wall condition on all four wheels, paying special attention to the rear tyres which were close to the legal limit in 2022; any cracking, dry rot or uneven wear should prompt immediate replacement. Verify the condition of the under‑seal on the underside – heavy under‑seal can trap moisture and accelerate corrosion if it has become delaminated. Test the 12‑volt battery with a load tester, as a ten‑year‑old battery may have lost capacity, and check that the alternator is charging correctly. Finally, confirm that the service history includes regular oil, coolant and brake‑fluid changes, as fluids degrade with time even on low‑mileage cars; any signs of oil leaks, coolant residue or brake‑fluid moisture will require remedial work before the vehicle can be considered reliably roadworthy.