2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7L Diesel · VN08 LEF

Corrosion on the underside is the defining concern for this 2008 Range Rover Sport, with the January 2026 test passing but flagging an under side corroded advisory that a prospective buyer should treat as the priority inspection item. The wider record shows a vehicle that has passed every annual test since a troubled 2022, when it failed with a dangerous offside rear wheel bearing described as so worn it was likely to break up, alongside a split nearside front inner CV boot. That failure was rectified within eight days and the car passed on 2 August 2022, and it has since recorded three consecutive clean or near-clean passes, suggesting the immediate defects were addressed. However, recurring advisories for brake pads wearing thin on both axles across 2021 and 2022, a worn nearside front tyre, and earlier anti-roll bar linkage play indicate the sort of consumable wear expected on a heavy, high-mileage 4x4. Recorded mileage stands at 169,848 miles over roughly eighteen years, averaging about 9,436 miles per year, which is typical rather than exceptional for the age. There is a notable gap in the test record between July 2021 and July 2022, consistent with the extended MOT arrangements of that period rather than a lay-up, and annual testing has been regular since. This accumulation pattern means the suspension, braking, and drivetrain components have seen sustained use, which aligns with the recorded wear items: front and rear brake pads flagged in consecutive years, a CV boot failure, and a wheel bearing that deteriorated to a dangerous condition. Buyers should not interpret the recent run of passes as evidence of overall mechanical health, only that no testable defects were present on those dates. On inspection, the underside corrosion advisory warrants a thorough examination on a ramp, paying particular attention to the chassis rails, subframes, brake and fuel lines, and suspension mounting points, since corrosion on a vehicle of this age and weight can progress from advisory to structural failure between tests. Probe for flaky or perforated metal rather than surface discolouration, and establish whether any protective treatment has been applied. Given the 2022 wheel bearing failure, listen on a test drive for humming or droning that rises with road speed, and check for play by rocking each rear wheel at twelve and six o'clock with the car jacked up. The braking history justifies close scrutiny of pad and disc condition at all four corners, with a check for pedal judder under firm braking and any pull to one side. The previously split CV boot should prompt a check for clicking or knocking from the front drivetrain on full lock, which would indicate joint wear following dirt ingress, and the earlier anti-roll bar linkage play suggests listening for light clunks over uneven surfaces. Finally, confirm the front position lamp and registration plate issues from 2020 and 2021 remain rectified, and budget for the likelihood that a vehicle of this mileage will continue to consume brakes, bushes, and bearings at a steady rate.