2007 Land Rover Discovery — MOT failures & pass rate
45,530 MOT tests on the 2007 Land Rover Discovery are in this dataset, and 76.0% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 23.6%, so the 2007 Discovery sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.5%) and suspension (11.6%) 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 3,952 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 6,122 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 5,275 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 4,401 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 2,853 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 1,822 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 1,544 |
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 | 3,952 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,617 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,045 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,837 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,707 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,444 |
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 | 32.9% | 14,972 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.9% | 14,520 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.0% | 10,018 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.8% | 9,470 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 7,671 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.4% | 4,279 |
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 | 73 | 19.2% |
| 30-60k | 454 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,407 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 8,443 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 14,343 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 19,784 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 45,387 | 24.0% |
| Petrol | 140 | 22.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,054 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 10,276 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 9,239 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 8,070 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 6,891 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Discovery
On a 2007 Discovery, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 (9.7% 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 2007 Land Rover Discoverys pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 45,530 2007 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Land Rover Discovery?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2007 Discovery get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.2% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,530 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.