Motoring Today

Land Rover Discovery Sport MOT reliability

Reliability from 31 Land Rover Discovery Sport cars with real DVSA MOT history — how often they pass first time, the most common failure reasons, and how much MOT life is left.

Reviewed by the Motoring Today Editorial team · methodology in our editorial standards.

How reliable is the Land Rover Discovery Sport at MOT?

Across 11 Land Rover Discovery Sport cars on Motoring Today, the average first-time MOT pass rate is 77%. 91% of stock currently holds a valid MOT, with a median of 9 months left on the certificate. The most common reasons these cars fail an MOT are tyres, visibility (windscreen & wipers) and other, from real DVSA test history.

Avg pass rate
77%
Valid MOT
10 / 11
Median MOT left
9 mo
Top failure
Tyres

There are 8 Land Rover Discovery Sport models currently available on Motoring Today, with prices starting from £9,597, or a representative monthly payment of £216. Based on national DVSA MOT test data from 92,095 real UK tests, the Discovery Sport has a pass rate of 86.07%. While this figure reflects cars presented for their MOT, not necessarily their lifetime reliability, it's important to understand common failure points that often emerge with age and use. The most frequent MOT failure categories for the Land Rover Discovery Sport are led by Tyres, accounting for 27% of failures, followed by Lighting & electrical at 23%, Brakes at 18%, and Visibility (windscreen & wipers) at 16%. For a used car buyer, this means paying close attention to these areas before purchase. Worn tyres are a safety issue and an easy fix, but indicate potential neglect. Electrical issues can range from minor bulb replacements to more complex wiring faults. Brake failures often relate to worn pads, discs, or fluid leaks, all critical for safety, while windscreen and wiper problems can affect visibility, another key safety concern. These common failures are often linked to routine wear and tear, or a lack of regular maintenance rather than inherent design flaws of the vehicle. When inspecting a used Discovery Sport, always check tyre condition, ensure all lights (headlights, brake lights, indicators) are working, test the brakes thoroughly, and confirm wipers operate smoothly with no windscreen damage. Remember that finance is subject to status. This data was last updated on 23 August 2026.

77First-time MOT pass
Average pass rate
Stock with valid MOT
10 / 11
91% road-ready
Median MOT left
9 mo
Expiring < 2 mo
0
Plan for an MOT soon after purchase

Most common MOT failures on the Land Rover Discovery Sport

Grouped reasons for MOT rejection across 31 Land Rover Discovery Sport cars with DVSA test history in our stock (54 recorded failure items, 16 of them dangerous).

Failure areaRecorded failuresShare of failures
Tyres2139%
Visibility (windscreen & wipers)713%
Other611%
Brakes611%
Lighting & electrical611%
Suspension59%

Based on real DVSA MOT test records for cars currently listed. Individual condition varies — always check the specific car's MOT history and advisories on its listing.

MOT pass rate is the percentage of Land Rover Discovery Sport cars in our stock that passed their most recent MOT on the first attempt, based on DVSA history. A pass rate above 80% is generally strong for a car of this age.

If a car you're viewing is approaching its MOT expiry, factor in the cost of any advisories — these are listed on each vehicle detail page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a used Discovery Sport?
Based on 92095 national DVSA MOT tests, the Land Rover Discovery Sport has a pass rate of 86.07%.
What are the most common MOT failures on a Discovery Sport?
The most common MOT failure categories for the Land Rover Discovery Sport are Tyres (27%), Lighting & electrical (23%), Brakes (18%), and Visibility (windscreen & wipers) (16%).
Is the Discovery Sport reliable?
The MOT pass rate of 86.07% indicates that most Discovery Sports presented for test pass. However, an MOT pass rate reflects cars at the point of test, and failures can increase with age and poor maintenance.
What should I check before buying a used Discovery Sport?
When buying a used Discovery Sport, pay close attention to the tyres, all lighting and electrical components, the braking system, and the condition of the windscreen and wipers, as these are common MOT failure points.
How many Discovery Sports are for sale and what's the cheapest price?
There are 9 Land Rover Discovery Sports currently for sale. The cheapest available model is priced at £7495, with a representative finance example of £164 per month; finance is subject to status.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Land Rover Discovery Sport?
Across 31 Land Rover Discovery Sport cars on Motoring Today with DVSA MOT history, the most common reasons for MOT failure are tyres, visibility (windscreen & wipers) and other (tyres account for 39% of recorded failures).

More Land Rover Discovery Sport resources