1987 Land Rover Range Rover — MOT failures & pass rate
438 MOT tests on the 1987 Land Rover Range Rover are in this dataset, and 81.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 23.4% of the time, so this is 4.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.6%) and body, structure & corrosion (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, headlamp aim and integral vehicle structure condition — prescribed areas alone was recorded 29 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 0-30k band and 22.8% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 26.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.1% in 2021 to 12.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 51 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 38 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.4% | 28 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.0% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 22 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.0% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 29 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 23 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 19 |
| 5 | Washers | 18 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 26.7% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.5% | 94 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.5% | 81 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 68 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.3% | 45 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.7% | 38 |
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 | 42 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 76 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 84 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 107 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 68 | 17.6% |
| 150k+ | 57 | 22.8% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 322 | 18.9% |
| Diesel | 116 | 18.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 95 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 95 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 98 | 20.4% |
| 2024 | 76 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 74 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 1987 Range Rover
On a 1987 Range Rover, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (6.4% 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 1987 Land Rover Range Rovers pass their MOT?
81.3% of the 438 1987 Land Rover Range Rover MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Land Rover Range Rover?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (8.7%).
Does the 1987 Range Rover get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 438 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.