1998 Land Rover Freelander — MOT failures & pass rate
1,807 MOT tests on the 1998 Land Rover Freelander are in this dataset, and 70.9% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.5%, so the 1998 Freelander sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.4%) and lighting & signalling (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 200 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 37.1% in the 0-30k band and 28.9% in the 150k+ band, a 8.2-point spread.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.9pp more often than diesel ones (30.1% vs 28.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.4% | 279 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 230 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.5% | 226 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 173 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 156 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 69 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 200 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 169 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 120 |
| 4 | Anti-lock braking system | 100 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 74 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 73 |
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 | 37.8% | 683 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.9% | 523 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.1% | 399 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.8% | 375 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 298 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.3% | 205 |
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 | 62 | 37.1% |
| 30-60k | 112 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 320 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 443 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 469 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 336 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 954 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 853 | 30.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 560 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 423 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 367 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 254 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 203 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Freelander
On a 1998 Freelander, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.4% 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 (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.5% 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.
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 1998 Land Rover Freelanders pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 1,807 1998 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Land Rover Freelander?
Brakes, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.7%).
Does the 1998 Freelander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 37.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,807 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.