2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4.4L Diesel · T28 MAC

The most recent DVSA examination dated 15 July 2025 records a PASS, though a Minor advisory was issued against the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover for severe deterioration. This is significant because a near-identical issue caused a Major failure on the nearside front lower arm on 21 May 2024, resulting in the vehicle being refused a certificate until remedial work was carried out. The 2025 re-test passing with a Minor rather than a Major suggests that either the component was repaired on the opposite side during the earlier rectification or that the deterioration has not yet reached the threshold at which ingress of contaminants compromises the joint. The maintenance trend is broadly stable in terms of outright passes, but the recurring presentation of ball joint dust cover defects on the front suspension arms is a noteworthy pattern. Prior tests from 2019 through 2023 recorded no defects, indicating that the front suspension wear has developed relatively recently and warrants close attention as the vehicle accumulates further mileage. With 78,277 miles recorded over an eleven-year life, this Range Rover Sport has covered approximately 7,116 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical usage bracket for a vehicle of its age and class. The MOT intervals are reasonably consistent with no extended absences from testing, suggesting continuous use rather than long periods of standing. This relatively average annual mileage means that wear-related component failures should be progressing in line with the recorded test history rather than being artificially accelerated by very high use or masked by extended inactivity. There is no evidence of unusually rapid mileage accumulation between tests that would imply neglect of servicing intervals or excessive short-journey wear on items such as the diesel particulate filter, turbo, or dual mass flywheel, all of which are known concerns on this model. The recurring front suspension arm ball joint dust cover defects are the primary mechanical concern to focus on during a physical inspection and test drive. Ball joint dust covers, once perished or split, allow water, grit, and road salt to enter the joint, accelerating wear of the internal bearing surfaces and ultimately leading to play in the joint, which can manifest as knocking or clonking noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, vague or wandering steering, uneven tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer edges of the front tyres, and in extreme cases MOT failure under the steering and suspension sections. On a test drive, listen for any creaks or clunks when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and pay attention to whether the steering returns to centre cleanly without juddering. Given that the advisories are on opposite sides of the vehicle across consecutive years, it is reasonable to anticipate that the remaining ball joints and bushes on the front lower arms may soon require renewal, and a pre-purchase inspection should include a physical check for any free play in the joints by a technician using appropriate leverage. Beyond the documented suspension concerns, a buyer should undertake a thorough age-and-mileage appropriate inspection, particularly given this is an eleven-year-old premium SUV. Check all tyres, including the rear 275/45/21 items flagged for edge wear in 2020, for both tread depth and sidewall perishing or cracking, as age-related rubber degradation can compromise tyres even with adequate tread. Examine the brake discs and calipers for corrosion and binding, especially given the typical short urban journeys associated with this class of vehicle, and confirm that the brake fluid has been changed in line with the typical two-year service interval regardless of mileage. Verify that the 12V battery is in good health, as standing periods or repeated short trips can prematurely age batteries, and confirm the service book history with stamps or invoices for timely replacement of the timing belt, coolant, transmission fluid, and four-wheel-drive transfer case and differential oils, all of which are calendar-sensitive on this model. Finally, given the 2020 advisory relating to a low emitter, it would be prudent to confirm that any AdBlue system components and the diesel particulate filter have been correctly maintained, as these are common failure points on later Euro 6 diesels and can result in non-start conditions if neglected.