2006 Land Rover Discovery — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 52,735 MOT tests, the 2006 Land Rover Discovery recorded a 75.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (24.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.8%) and suspension (12.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, position lamp and stop lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 5,263 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.4% in the 0-30k band and 25.7% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 7,794 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 6,634 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 5,387 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 3,641 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 2,272 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.1% | 2,167 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 5,263 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,775 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,818 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,360 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,210 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 2,040 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.2% | 19,096 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.0% | 17,392 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.8% | 12,045 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.1% | 11,107 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 9,500 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.4% | 4,939 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 65 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 451 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,145 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 7,521 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 15,189 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 27,332 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 52,360 | 25.1% |
| Petrol | 370 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,694 | 24.8% |
| 2022 | 11,903 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 10,696 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 9,388 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 8,054 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Discovery
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Land Rover Discoverys pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 52,735 2006 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Land Rover Discovery?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2006 Discovery get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 52,735 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.