MOT fail rates by first-use year
1999 Land Rover Discovery MOT fail rate and common faults
How Land Rover Discovery cars first used in 1999 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 7,247 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 25 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 25 years old, Land Rover Discovery cars first used in 1999 failed 34.2% of MOTs (1,985 tests), 2.2 points below the 36.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 23 to 25 years old, the fail rate moved from 38.4% to 34.2%.
- Land Rover Discovery cars first used a year earlier, in 1998, failed 34.0% at the same age of 25 years (1,347 tests, in 2023).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Land Rover Discovery at 25 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 3.4 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 4.2).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 years | 38.4% | 2,887 | 39.6% | −1.2 pts |
| 2023 | 24 years | 33.8% | 2,375 | 37.8% | −4.0 pts |
| 2024 | 25 years | 34.2% | 1,985 | 36.3% | −2.2 pts |
Most common faults at 25 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Discovery MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=6,748). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Side/position light not working Wear | 4.0 | 3.4 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| Seat belt prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | 3.2 | 1.8 |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | 3.1 | 1.0 |
| Headlamp aim: too low Wear | 3.0 | 1.8 |
| Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 2.9 | 2.6 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 2.7 | 3.1 |
| Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working Wear | 2.4 | 1.6 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=6,748). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 27.4 | 14.9 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 9.5 | 14.1 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 9.3 | 2.8 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 8.8 | 4.3 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.7 | 8.6 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear | 7.7 | 3.7 |
| Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view | 7.0 | 3.5 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 6.2 | 9.1 |
| Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 5.5 | 2.0 |
| Integral vehicle structure condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 5.4 | 3.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=6,748). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 25 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Discovery MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=6,748). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 93.3% | 33.7% | 6,221 | 39.3% | 158,946 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 25 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Discovery MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=6,748). At 25 years, Land Rover Discovery cars at over 150,000 miles failed less often (34.2%, n=3,706) than those at 120,000 to 150,000 miles (36.1%, n=1,545). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 36.1% | 1,545 | 40.2% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 34.2% | 3,706 | 42.3% |
Car tax rules for a 1999 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 1999 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Land Rover Discovery
Other Land Rover models first used in 1999
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Rover Defender (1999) | 25 years in 2024 | 36.1% | 2,992 | 36.3% |
More on the Land Rover Discovery
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 1999 Land Rover Discovery cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.