2012 Land Rover Freelander — MOT failures & pass rate
62,980 MOT tests on the 2012 Land Rover Freelander are in this dataset, and 82.7% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (22.3% fail rate), the 2012 Freelander comes out 5.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.6%) and suspension (6.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, linkage ball joints and tread depth — track rod end alone was recorded 3,358 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.6% in the 0-30k band and 24.3% in the 150k+ band, a 18.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 4,175 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.0% | 3,785 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.4% | 3,376 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.2% | 3,303 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.1% | 1,931 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 1,355 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 3,358 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joints | 1,368 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,341 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,335 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,183 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,170 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.7% | 13,015 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.3% | 12,146 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.5% | 11,652 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.2% | 5,171 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 3,925 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.8% | 3,674 |
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 | 574 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 6,990 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 19,942 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 20,426 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 10,264 | 21.7% |
| 150k+ | 4,780 | 24.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 62,840 | 17.3% |
| Petrol | 140 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,471 | 14.9% |
| 2022 | 12,474 | 15.7% |
| 2023 | 12,627 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 12,742 | 18.9% |
| 2025 | 12,666 | 19.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Freelander
On a 2012 Freelander, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.0% 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 (5.4% 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.
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 2012 Land Rover Freelanders pass their MOT?
82.7% of the 62,980 2012 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Land Rover Freelander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.0%).
Does the 2012 Freelander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 62,980 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.