2010 Land Rover Discovery — MOT failures & pass rate
40,532 MOT tests on the 2010 Land Rover Discovery are in this dataset, and 79.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 20.5%, so the 2010 Discovery sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.1%) and brakes (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, rigid brake pipes and joints — pins and bushes alone was recorded 3,618 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 22.2% versus 11.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.1% | 3,705 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 3,030 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 2,798 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 2,236 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.9% | 1,574 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,148 |
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 | 3,618 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,756 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,173 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 932 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 926 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 812 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.2% | 11,835 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.4% | 10,691 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.2% | 8,584 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 5,820 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.3% | 3,759 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 3,630 |
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 | 87 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 856 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 4,380 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 11,602 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 13,078 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 10,522 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 40,428 | 20.7% |
| Petrol | 104 | 19.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,788 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 8,624 | 20.2% |
| 2023 | 8,268 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 7,664 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 7,188 | 21.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Discovery
On a 2010 Discovery, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.1% 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 (7.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2010 Land Rover Discoverys pass their MOT?
79.3% of the 40,532 2010 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Land Rover Discovery?
Suspension, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by brakes (7.5%).
Does the 2010 Discovery get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 22.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 40,532 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.