2014 Land Rover Freelander — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 66,973 MOT tests, the 2014 Land Rover Freelander recorded an 86.5% pass rate. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (18.0% fail rate), the 2014 Freelander comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 7.3% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, brake pads and track rod end — headlamp alone was recorded 3,457 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.0% in the 0-30k band and 21.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 4,918 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.5% | 2,360 |
| 3 | Steering | 3.1% | 2,112 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.0% | 2,009 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.6% | 1,746 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 1,369 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 3,457 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 2,106 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,945 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,565 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,296 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,162 |
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 | 19.1% | 12,759 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.6% | 12,456 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 6,531 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 4,119 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 3,466 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 2,727 |
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 | 1,866 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 16,250 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 26,225 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 15,363 | 16.5% |
| 120-150k | 5,306 | 18.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,953 | 21.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 66,943 | 13.5% |
| Petrol | 30 | 3.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,163 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 13,299 | 12.4% |
| 2023 | 13,496 | 13.8% |
| 2024 | 13,495 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 13,520 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Freelander
On a 2014 Freelander, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.5% 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.
- Steering (3.1% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2014 Land Rover Freelanders pass their MOT?
86.5% of the 66,973 2014 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Land Rover Freelander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by brakes (3.5%).
Does the 2014 Freelander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 21.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 66,973 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.