Interested in a vehicle from this iconic brand but concerned about whether it’s a worthwhile investment? This article will provide you with all the information you could need to make an educated decision.
Land Rover is a name associated with British motoring as are MINI and Rolls Royce. Founded by Rover in 1948, it became a brand in its own right in 1978. The company has been owned by several companies since the first car was manufactured; including Ford, British Leyland and BMW. In 2008, it was sold to the Indian motor company Tata Motors, and in 2012 the company was merged with another British icon, Jaguar, to form Jaguar Land Rover.
Land Rover produces a number of incredibly popular models, including the Land Rover Discovery, the Range Rover Evoque, and the Range Rover Sport. In 2019, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Land Rover unveiled the completely re-imagined Defender, a model that was originally available between 1983 and 2012.
Often considered hard-wearing vehicles that are most at home on uneven terrain, Land Rovers were once most commonly seen as the farmer’s choice.
However, the image they have earned as off-road machines has been damaged in recent years by reports regarding reliability. But are they really as unreliable as the reports suggest?
In this article we will be looking at Land Rover’s reliability, is it really as negative as it often appears?
It should be noted while the article is about Land Rover, this is a generalised term that also includes Range Rover vehicles.
Is Land Rover reliable?
In the not-so-distant past, Land Rovers were built like tanks and people boasted of their capability as off-road vehicles. They were used by farmers and businesses to tow trailers and transport muddy dogs, dirt-covered boots and heavy equipment.
Unfortunately, those days now appear to have passed, with consistent reports of issues with the reliability of available models.
In 2012, the same year that Land Rover and Jaguar merged to become one entity, a consumer report from What Car? magazine (in collaboration with Warranty Direct) announced that, when it came to used cars, Land Rover was the most unreliable brand on the road. The report stated that 71% of used Land Rovers and Range Rovers break down each year and was based on an analysis of 50,000 extended warranty policies.
Upon referring to information from J.D Power, reliability scores for Land Rover vehicles between 2007 and 2016 were less than encouraging. For eight years out of the total 10, the company scored less than average, managing to only reach a maximum of 2.5 out of 5, which is much lower than the industry average. In a second study conducted in 2016, The American data analytics company J.D. Power researched the average number of problems per 100 vehicles from multiple manufacturers. The average number of problems was 133 per 100 vehicles. The results for Land Rover were, unfortunately, much higher than expected, with the brand seeing 179 problems per 100 cars, just under 2 issues per vehicle.
When it comes to reliability, it appears that not much has actually changed for Land Rover. 2019 scores from ReliabilityIndex indicate that the manufacturer is still close to the bottom when compared to other carmakers. Land Rover earned a score of 308, which means it placed 36 on a list of 40 brands. Though Maserati is in clear last place with a score of 774, this is not an impressive score for a popular manufacturer.
As well as earning a score of 308 and appearing in the bottom 5 of the ReliabilityIndex list of manufacturers, Land Rover also has a relatively high average repair cost of £452.58. The cost of repairs means that Land Rover comes in the bottom 10 when it comes to charges, in 31st place.
Which? also rates Land Rover so low, with Land Rover taking the last place in their reliability tables until their 2021 survey, where Alfa Romeo was revealed as the least reliable brand. This survey found that petrol-powered Land Rovers performed relatively well (especially for Land Rover standards), with only 23% of SUVs up to 4 years old getting something fixed over the year prior to the survey. It’s for this reason Which? gave their petrol vehicles 4 stars out of 5.
Unfortunately, most Land Rover owners in this survey chose diesel and this is where more problems emerged. In the same 0-4 age group, the number of drivers who needed their car fixed rose to 36% and 6% of drivers experienced their SUV completely breaking down or failing to start. As this is even worse than the average (4.9%), they gave these vehicles a 2-star rating.
This rating also continues with the other age groups, with 40% of drivers with a car aged 5-9 years old needing their vehicle fixed (the third most of any brand, after Alfa Romeo and Volvo). 6.7% of drivers had their car break down or fail to start too. As for the 10+ age group, 50% of drivers had at least one problem that had to be fixed and 11.6% of drivers had their car completely break down or not start.
Though the overall reliability of models produced by Land Rover (including their Range Rover vehicles) is not seen to be the best when reviewed for consumer and warranty reports, when looking at individual components of the vehicles (such as engine or braking system), they rate much better in the ReliabilityIndex report.
Air conditioning, gearbox, engine, braking system and the cooling and heating system all fared well, with less than 14% of owners reporting issues with these aspects of their vehicles. The electrics and fuel system earned an average score, placing 23rd and 21st place respectively. Steering and transmission both appear in the bottom 10 for reliability, however, reports from owners for all manufacturers were rather low when it comes to these two areas, and though steering placed 32 out of 40, only 6.09% of owners reported any problems with it. The transmission system list proves similar. Though Land Rover transmission systems placed 33 out of 40 manufacturers, only 5.67% of owners reported that they had needed to get this repaired.
However, when it comes to the axle and suspension, an element of any sturdy 4×4 that should be strong with unquestionable reliability, the story is completely different. In a list of 40 manufacturers, you would expect Land Rover to be near the top for the suspension, but it’s actually nearer the bottom of the Reliabilityindex list, in 37th place. A total of 36.23% of owners reported that they had found it necessary to take their Land Rover to the garage for repairs to the axle and suspension in the 12 months before the report was compiled.
How reliable is the Land Rover Discovery?
Since its humble beginnings in 1989 as the first new model series since the 1970 Range Rover, it has been known as influential, with many calling it the first “true off-road capable family car”. It has now entered its 5th generation back in 2017, becoming lighter than its last two generations, thanks to a unitised body structure.
Since its release in 1989, 1.2 million Discovery models have been sold as of the 1st of January 2017, with 313,365 sold between 2013 and 2019.
In their 5th-gen Discovery review, Which? gave it an overall test score of 48% and was generally unimpressed with the level of reliability on offer with this vehicle. Which? noted that it was “plagued with problems” and gave it 1 star out of 5 for reliability. They also commented that due to a long list of issues that affected half of the owners, drivers were left with no vehicle for an average of almost 10 days while it was being repaired.
35% of faults involved the exterior of the vehicle, including rainwater seals and door locks or handles, and almost 2 out of 3 drivers had non-engine electrical issues. This included problems with:
- On-board computer systems
- The alarm system
- Dashboard displays
Despite this, most of these faults didn’t affect the safety of driving the vehicles, but 12% of the cars involved in the survey had a breakdown occur over the year prior.
How reliable is the Range Rover Evoque?
The Range Rover Evoque was first introduced in 2011, and in that time, there have been 18 recalls on the Range Rover Evoque, which were to fix issues with the electrics, fuel system and engine.
Which? have awarded newer models (0-3 years) of the Evoque two stars out of five for reliability in the 2020 reliability survey.
43% of owners who participated in the survey reported that they had experienced problems with their newer vehicles. The key area of concern was onboard computer software issues and dashboard display problems, as 1 in 5 drivers were affected by this. This was closely followed by the exhaust/emission control system which was reported by 8% of owners.
In their summary of the Range Rover Evoque, Which? recommends that anyone who depends on their vehicle on a daily basis should be aware that if their vehicle does need repairs it could end up being off the road for an average duration of 5 days. 8% of Evoque owners whose vehicles were less than three years old reported that they’d experienced a breakdown and ended up without a car for almost a whole working week. Due to this vehicle being relatively new, Which? doesn’t currently have evidence to account for when this newest-generation model gets older.
However, it doesn’t get much better for older-generation models, with 54% of owners reporting that they had problems including automatic/semi-automatic transmission, central locking, exhaust or emission control system, parking sensors or the steering components. It’s due to this continued poor performance and the fact that 12% of owners reported their vehicles had completely broken down in the last 12 months prior to the survey, that the older model Evoque only managed to earn a paltry one star out of five when ranked by Which?.
If you love the Range Rover Evoque and it’s the 4×4 you dream of driving, have you considered leasing? If you lease the Range Rover Evoque with a complete maintenance package, you can be assured that you will be covered if the vehicle does break down and you won’t be left without a vehicle if your Evoque is in the garage for a few days. With a maintained lease, you could have the car of your dreams and the reassurance that should anything happen, you won’t have to pay expensive fees to have it repaired.
How reliable is the Range Rover Sport?
The Range Rover Sport was first introduced to the Range Rover and Land Rover family back in 2005. The second-generation models are the ones currently on the market, they were initially released in 2013. The vehicle has had several facelifts though everything else has remained the same.
It is marketed as a mid-sized SUV and is manufactured in the UK at the Jaguar Land Rover Solihull plant.
The Range Rover Sport hasn’t been the most dependable vehicle in the past, but it does appear to have improved considerably. According to WhatCar? the Sport is above class average for many things including electrics, brake fluid and bulbs. It is average for wiper blades. However, it rates lower than class average when it comes to the brake pads, with WhatCar? reporting that you will need to get them replaced earlier than you will in many other models. That said, being above average in many of these areas, especially electrics, is impressive.
Unfortunately, when looking at the Range Rover Sport as a vehicle, according to the reliability report from ReliabilityIndex (for 2019), it can be said that performance is poor.
The reliability score of the Sport is 366, which gives this model a lower score than the brand received as a whole. Repair costs are another issue that can be seen as unimpressive, with owners seeing an average charge of almost £480 if it needs to visit the garage. However, it can be seen as a positive that when it is necessary for you to take your Range Rover Sport into the local garage for repairs, they estimate that the average repair time is under three hours, which is great when considering the number of issues people have reported with the Range Rover Sport.
Unfortunately, when you break down the systems in the Sport, the picture doesn’t look much better according to the information from ReliabilityIndex. According to this data, there are several areas where the Sport could be improved. The axle and suspension have been found to be the most problematic components of the vehicle, with over 42% of issues reported to WarrantyDirect in 2019 being connected to this. The second most common area of concern is the vehicle’s electrical system, with 20.72% of owners having needed repairs to the system.
If you’re living in a warm climate and rely upon the air conditioning in your Range Rover Sport, then you’re in luck as this is something in the vehicle that is unlikely to go wrong, with just 0.87% of owners reporting they had problems with their air conditioning that needed repairing.
Things aren’t much better if you look at the Which? reliability survey for 2019. 42% of owners of a new (0-3 years) Range Rover Sport found that it was necessary to take their vehicle to the garage for repair in the 12 months prior to taking part in the survey. This is a considerable amount higher than the average across manufacturers, which is 25%. When looking at the reasons for these necessary repairs, it doesn’t improve, with owners stating that there were, on average, 4 issues rather than just one.
The data gathered by Which? is similar to the information shown in the ReliabilityIndex report, with a considerable list of the most common faults that owners experience, including:
- Built-in sat nav
- Connectivity (such as Bluetooth)
- Dashboard display
- Media system
- Suspension
- Parking sensors
The number of owners who reported that their vehicle had broken down was also higher than expected, with 11% of new Range Rover Sport owners stating that their vehicle had needed to be transported to a garage for repairs.
The reasons above are why the Which? reliability survey for 2019 awarded new Range Rover Sport models, aged 0 to 3 years) an incredibly disappointing 1-star out of 5 for dependability.
Things are a little better if you’re the owner of an older model Range Rover Sport. At least according to Which?. The number of owners who experienced issues with their vehicles in the 12 months prior to participating in the survey was less than the 38% average reported by other manufacturers at 35%. This can be taken as a positive. However, the 10% who found it necessary to have their car taken to a garage following a breakdown was still relatively high, at 10%. It is this result which means the reliability score for the older Range Rover Sport is a very average 3-stars.
All this being said, the Range Rover Sport has a lot to recommend it, including style, and if you are concerned about the cost of repairs then getting your dream Range Rover on a lease with a maintenance pack is worth considering. So, if you’re looking to upgrade and you’ve got your heart set on this vehicle, a lease could be the ideal option for you.
Why is Land Rover unreliable?
One of the problems that we are starting to see with modern, luxury cars is that they come with a lot of modern technology. This is obviously great for the driver, and it means that they are worth the heftier price tag, but it does mean that they are more prone to problems.
The problem with new technology is just that, it’s new. So, there are bound to be a few problems every now and then with the likes of infotainment systems etc. This claim is backed up by Warranty Direct’s managing director, Duncan McClure Fisher. Talking about the survey in which Land Rover and Range Rover scored badly, he said;
“Cars have become increasingly complex, with lots of gadgetry on board, especially on executive models, where buyers expect more and more bang for their buck.”
How reliable are consumer surveys?
While we’re on the subject of reliability, how accurate are consumer surveys themselves?
Consumer surveys are a good way of determining a vehicle’s dependability. They ask the owners of the models how they have got on in terms of problems, recalls and repairs. They then use that feedback to come to informed conclusions.
Other surveys, such as the one carried out by WarrantyDirect, are also a good judgement. Admittedly, they only collect data from those who have contracts with them, however, it is possible for them to receive a wider pool of results as not everyone will be willing to complete a survey and they can use their own data.
One issue with consumer surveys, however, is that they can’t always give you the most up-to-date results on reliability. This is because people haven’t had the car long enough to give a judgement on its long-term reliability. That said, J.D Power has a predicted dependability rating which is usually reliable. Also, you can take results from past models to give you a rough idea of the reliability of a newer model.
Common Land Rover problems
There are some issues that are more common in Land Rover and Range Rover models than there are on others. It’s important that you know what some of these problems are, particularly if you are looking at a used Land Rover or Range Rover. Some of these problems include:
- Air suspension
- This is quite a common problem and is often seen after around six years.
- Oil leaks
- This can happen when the Land Rover reaches approximately 60,000 miles, however, it has been seen before a vehicle reaches this point too.
- Sunroof leaks
- This is an inconvenient issue that many have reported happens when a Land Rover is quite new. This is something to watch out for even if your Land Rover is relatively new.
Should I buy, lease or hire a Land Rover?
If you’re looking for a new vehicle and want something that has a strong history of producing rugged and robust vehicles that are ideally suited to muddy tyres and rough terrain, then you’re in the right place. Despite the fact that there are issues with reliability in new Land Rover and Range Rover models, they are a manufacturer many are incredibly loyal to, so if you’re looking to get a new car and have set your sights on one of the many models that are on the market (or about to be launched), have you considered a lease?
Conclusion: How reliable is Land Rover?
Land Rover and Range Rover are not reliable. It might be painful to admit it, but the evidence is clear to see. That said, its main competitor Jeep isn’t too good either. It’s mainly down to the amount of modern technology that is now in the cars because not long ago Land Rover cars were very reliable. Ultimately, though, people are still going to buy Land Rovers and Range Rovers because they look good, they drive well and there is an element of prestige to them. So will this article stop you? Possibly, but possibly not. However, it’s always good to know what you’re in for should you choose to buy, lease or finance a Land Rover or a Range Rover.
I’ve owned Range Rovers for 20 years and have been searching for a newer one for 3 months. I find your article to be accurate and helpful. While I’ve never had problems with my older ones (and still own a 2006 that runs perfectly), I’ve been researching them and their Carfax and I’m baffled how some of the newer models can still be on the road. I purchased a 2014 with 30,000 miles and within a day it almost killed me by stopping with no warning WHILE DRIVING down the highway! Imagine your engine just turning off while in drive! Range Rover service was unable to locate the problem and It continued to either run perfectly or stop while driving for the next 3 weeks. Luckily, I was able to return the car. I’ve searched literally hundreds of 2014-2017 RR’s on the market since, looking for one that seems safe, yet am seeing that this has occurred with a great percentage of them – I can tell by the Carfax. I’m beginning to wonder if a reliable/safe 2014-2017 Range Rover even exists. If it does, I’m willing to purchase it, but I seriously can’t find one.
Speaking openly and honestly, The New Range Rovers simply do not have the same reliability as they used too – As mentioned. Vehicles are only as strong as their weakest link. Unfortunately, with the New Range Rover models, their weakest links are perhaps weaker than most! Overall, The Land Rover engines ‘Main Block’ are built with stability and strength in mind. The parts around it let it down.
A British car. I loved my mg and triumph but I am a realist. Nothing but constant problems but fun as hell. I assume the Range Rover is the same. Unfortunately I will have to pass. I do not have the patience although I have the money. I was thinking about getting one for safety reasons. If you have a big garage and an extra car or truck then buy one. They look like a blast and as mr toad said. It is a motor car govenor.
Thanks for your comments Chris. If you would like us to discuss any vehicle requirements you have around safety first we have the systems here to do that, give us a shout when the time is right.
I bought a used Range ROver Sport in 2012 – it was a 2006 – when it works it is like driving a magic carpet.
HOWEVER its has been a disaster to own – sooooo many repairs and yet even more problems arise.
IT IS BADLY DESIGNED AND BADLY BUILT WITH POOR QUALITY MATERIALS.
Some examples:
the dash has cracked entirely across – massive deep cracks, all parts.
The steering wheel is pitted and damaged on top
the fabric headlining has fallen
the water drain has overflowed into the computer board under the dash – apparently this is common, and the water destroyed the computer board
the compressor failed twice, the heigh sensors do not work, even when buying new replacements, I have replaced the front shocks, the air pressure distribution block and many other things
even the spare wheel which is dropped by turning a nut in the boot area – has stripped and the cabled failed.
This is in comparison to my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe which I bought new and has mostly been without a garage in Australia which I have to this very day – NO dash cracks, no steering whell pitting, headlining is perfect and drives well with NO major failures in 15 years.
STAY AWAY from Range rover at all costs unless you are a masochist – in which case – I have a sweet ride to sell to you!
Hi Shane, Thank you for sharing your experience with our other readers.
Holly mackarel! i just ordered a Range Rover Sport HSE Td6 with almost every gadget on it. Shall I jump ship? Shall i just commit suicide sooner than later?
We are sure yours will be OK, this review is about historic data, and they are getting more reliable as time goes by.
Thank you Abbie, your words bring some relief. I really hope this vehicle is awesome, i am really excited about it. 🙂
I have read constant horror stories about this vehicle, as I am ready to purchase a used RR, but my mind is quickly changing. Most of the people who favor the vehicles are so rich that they can throw money away. I think the car is beautiful and maintains the spirit of elegance – It just seems to me that this car is going to leave me high and dry. That what it seems like anyway. Suspension costs average $1300.00 and that will go out along with the electrical and heater core. I still want the car…I hope I can find parts at my local junkyard. I have heard, however, that it is unlikely due to being a foreign vehicle.
Thank you for this article! I am thinking about a 2014 or 2015 Sport. I currently have a 2008 HSE and I love this car!!! I have had a few issues…air suspension, 02 sensor, alternator and most recently one of the rear window mechanisms failed. Some of these issues will come with a vehicle that now has 165k miles. I purchased it with 75,000 miles. I have my eyes our for a Sport with less than 50k. I have also head that since 2013, the Sport is very much like full size is components and dependability compared to older models. Range Rover also has their “certified” program which extends warranty to 7 years / 100k. I will likely also purchase and extended warranty as i did give me some reassurance with my current vehicle and has paid for itself. I’ll be honest, I am still on the fence because pricey repairs are a bit of a concern. I have also considered Volvo x90, Lexus GX and Acura MDX…but nothing is like the Range Rover.
Hi DemiW
Most vehicles go their entire 200,000m life without any of the dramas you describe
If you want to get to know your dealership and warranty repair team really well – buy a Range Rover
If you want to just drive and service it buy a Japanese luxury version and you can just relax and drive and the dealership will call you every six months to remind you to service it
Cheers
SPJ
Hi Stuart,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure that our readers will find it helpful.
I want to buy a new Range Rover vogue 2018 but have been confused a bit by reading some of these comments. don’t know what to do really. had couple of S classes but wanted a change. hummm
Hi Singh,
All indicators are showing to my knowledge that the new 2018 Range Rover has strong reliability which has been down to the investment of the TATA Corporation in the brand, we would love to have the opportunity to help you with that. You can fill in a call back request here: https://www.osv.ltd.uk/contact-us/ or call us on 01903 538835.
I am considering buying a 2018 Range Rover Sport or Full Size, HSE V6 Turbocharged. I just love the looks and luxury of this car. In trying to do my research on the maintenance…now I am scared to death to buy it. I would hope that after all of the bad years, 2012, etc. some of these problems would be corrected. Someone please tell me it is okay to go ahead with this car. I really want to purchase it, but I don’t have an endless bucket full of money to just keep writing checks for the car….I do have a budget to work with. I am days away from making a decision, so someone please help. Looking for annual costs for maintenance on the car. Thank you!!!!!!!!
Hi Diana,
Thank you for your comment. As we are based in the UK I am unable to refer you to anyone. It may be that a forum would be a good place for you to get further advice, or perhaps a local dealership. I hope that you are able to find the right advice before buying your new car.
Found a P38 DHSE with 110k mile on it, it had been stored for 7 years.
A quick change of battery, new fuel, and re furbished wheels, a power polish and it looks like new. Had it for 4 years now, no real problems with it at all, very nice to drive, reliable and a safe car in an accident (If you are unlucky enough to meet a boy racer)
New ones ,all very nice but not rugged enough, too many gadgets, and no ladder chassis
Hi Mike,
It sounds like you found a good older model Range Rover. I am sure that anyone reading this will find your discovery interesting.
Couple of things about the Land Rover brand
-They are a genius marketing team – and market the brand as a status symbol instead of a 4wd. Clever
-No one wants to discuss the LR history, so people who have never used the old stuff, say it used to be OK.
So here’s an update…
These observations are based on use in Australia – so maybe they just send all the dodgy stuff out here … but ..
We used these things in remote survey roles in the late 70’s and they were rubbish then
They would boil in summer and break axles in low ratio if presented with a hill of any significance – we developed the habit of carrying 2 axles for spares !!…and used them in a day.
As soon as the Toyota Land Cruiser came available no one has used Land Rover in remote work, exploration or mining work of any kind. Period.
So if you can’t catch a taxi home when it breaks – don’t use a Land Rover
They are a comfy town car and can take weekend warriors out ‘adventuring’ for 48hrs then go home to rest – if they get home.
We have a saying that 80% of Land Rovers are still on the road. The rest actually made it home !…hahahaha
The later models – through 90’s to mid 2000’s looked like they may get there, but the same old quality control issues remained.
I have friends who are LR tragics (I have a similar weakness for Laverda & Ducati bikes so I sort-of understand) and will persist with these things beyond reason. With insightful (and expensive) modifications they can be made reliable, but you need pre-emptive knowledge and deep pockets or lots and lots of time ….and a decent workshop
A group of us did a trip up to the gulf recently – nothing too drastic by 4×4 standards, but a decent drive and mediocre roads. We lost 2 days to repairs – guess who ?. …. the Jeep only cost us about half a day in carry-on getting it to run properly, but the LR certainly reminded us of its history !
The LR repair was to refit the fuel tank after it had vibrated out on the dirt roads …..
Volkswagon have been doing it for years, but LR have finally caught on to module marketing ‘value adding’
Audi Q7/VW Toureg – Audi Q5/VW Tiguan and now
LR Freelander/Range Rover Evoque awesome way to turn a profit on an existing ‘base’ model by changing skin & interior. No change to tooling , parts etc
Market the Freelander as a “Range Rover’ and sell the $60-80K Evoque into the market-recognition of the $140k Range Rover very, very smart piece of marketing targeting the status-sysmbol set
Beautiful
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for sharing your views.
hi, thanks for all the above info. I am currently awaiting delivery of a used , 2017 Evoque with 39kmiles . Sorry, but loved the looks. Am considering buying an extended warranty. How complete of a warranty would you recommend? just engine /trans or more? thanks JS
Hi Jay,
Thank you for your comment. We would recommend that you check forums and speak with insurance brokers as well as checking any T&Cs carefully for detailed advice about the sort of warranty for your Evoque. Good luck with your new car.
the cheapest part about owning a Range Rover………… is buying it……….the servicing costs goes on forever…………. think of a deep hole……then think of shoving $ notes into it……. constantly………. this comment comes from personal experience……….. good luck if you buy one…….
Hi Ron,
Thank you for the comments on your experience. I am sorry that you didn’t have a positive one with the Range Rover. I am sure that your opinions will be helpful for those who are looking to purchase a new 4×4.
This is so disappointing to read, I have flipped back and forth on the purchase of a Rover. As many others, I think these vehicles are the most beautiful machines astethic wise on the road, but every year, I read the same comments about unreliability. I have been a Mercedes man my whole car buying life, but do not find their SUV’s attractive. One salesman for Mercedes told me that they can not compete on the looks side, but claims reliability they win hands down. He said Rovers are damn sexy and will look good as hell, even sitting on back of a tow truck, or on the side of the road, where most of them spend their time. As much as I want too, I have to pass, plus, I do not want the wrath of my wife. She has read the same articles. I was so close to buying a 2016 Land Rover V8 Autobiography, Supercharged Edition, now I am a scaredy-cat. Somebody really need to kick some butt of the workers and engineers, so they turn out a reliable product. I find the poor workmanship pathetic.
Hi Theotis,
Thank you for your comment. If you are based in the UK and still looking for a car, I am sure that our team would be able to guide you to a car that you feel has the same aesthetically-pleasing appearance as the Land Rover. If you are interested in finding out more, get in touch.
Don’t buy any land rover my brother purchased a new Land Rover Sport it has lasted just over 3 Years it has not missed and of its service intervals and the Engine disintegrated it will cost over £10k to put back on the road.
Hi Ian,
Many thanks for your comment regarding your brother’s experience with his Land Rover Sport.
If your brother is in need of a new vehicle and would like help to find something else, we would be very happy to help him. Please call Amanda on 01903 223391.
The engine to my Land Rover sport 2015 also disintegrated not once but now twice. Fortunately I have extended warranty but I’ve lost the faith.
Apologies I meant Range Rover Sport. V6 Diesel Engine.
I bought a brand new LR3 V6 petrol in 2008, I drove the car for 4 years without any major problem up to 60, 000 km. Only few minor problems when the battery got weaker, all instrument warning came at once and parking brake lever malfunction. However the dealer service center constantly proposing replacing parts during the 4 years which cost me in avarege USD 2K for each service. I sold the car finally.
Now I am driving Porsche cayenne S for last 5 years without any major issue. The different that Porsche service center is much honest and reliable when doing their work. I can count on them.
Muhamad,
Thank you for your comment. It certainly sounds as though you have managed to pick out cars that have required very little in the way of maintenance. I am sure that many would be envious of this, and take your comments into account when looking for their new vehicle.
More electronics problems with my 2015 RR4.4 Been in the garage trying to fix it for FOUR weeks with a continual flurry of warnings. Had Landrovers for the last 25 years – this will be the last.
Hi Russ,
Sorry to hear that you’ve had so many issues with the latest LandRover you’re driving. If you’re looking for a replacement which fits your lifestyle, get in touch with Amanda on 01903 223391 and she will be able to refer you to one of our vehicle specialists.
Most of it about Range Rovers..missed the good old Defender.
Hi Chandra,
Unfortunately Land Rover stopped manufacture of the Defender in 2016, so the reliability of that particular model would be referring only to used vehicles.
I drove an Audi 2011 A7 for 8.5 years (only 40K miles though) without a single problem. I just replaced it with a 2019 Land Rover Discovery because I loved the style, ride and how it drives. The Q7 got old for me and the new ones were basically the same car visually. I took delivery of the Discovery and immediately discovered the A/C didn’t work. Dealer took care of it right away (supposedly a hose installed incorrectly was crimped) but not a promising start. I am hoping for the best! I like driving the Discovery so much better than the Q7 even though that was a great car for me.
Somehow this came out as A7 instead of Q7!
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your comment. It sounds as though you’ve had great experiences with both of the vehicles, and very good service when it came to getting repairs. I know that our readers will find this information useful when they come to choose their next vehicles.
Owner of a 2011 Defender, 2006 Freelander Hardback Freestyle & Freelander 2 HSE. The Defender is on 40k, The Freelander 1 108k and the Freelander 2 235,678k. All have had new clutches and thats it. Regular service by a LR specialist. These are complex machines that require regular TLC. Treat them right and they’ll last a lifetime! My Freelander 2 with the supposed weaker Ford engine is truly incredible. And for those who think German is better, wrong! My mates 2015 G Wagen has broken down 3 times, had a windscreen blow out and multiple electric failures. My parents Audi A8 suffered turbo failure at only 30k and as a regular motorway driver i see more German & French cars at the side of the road than any other! You want true reliability? Japanese. Boring to look at but will go forever!
Hi Jack,
Japanese is definitely at the top of the ladder when it comes to reliability reports, with manufacturers like Lexus, Honda and Toyota found to be the most reliable manufacturers with cars on the road in the UK. However, German and French cars are now also performing well. With anything it’s down to the vehicle that fits your personal needs and aesthetics are important.
I have a 2013 free lander bought new, 51.000 . All of a sudden the vehicle when warm will lurch forwards when stopped in traffic. This is a automatic gearbox. Any ideas.
Hi Dave,
Thank you for your comment. We would recommend that you visit an online forum, like the Freelander Owner’s Group on Facebook, they will be more familiar with a vehicle that is no longer sold as new on the market.
If you would like to purchase, lease or hire a new Land Rover, please get in touch with Amanda at OSV on 01903 223391, she will be happy to help you find a new vehicle that you love as much.
Hello, i am from New Zealand and i would like to buy Range Rover Evoque 2015. Do you guys recommend me to buy this car? Currently i drive Honda accord 2012.
Hi Syed,
Thank you for your message. It depends greatly on what you plan for the vehicle. We put together our articles so that people can make an informed decision, but the decision is, ultimately yours. We would recommend you speak with other Range Rover owners on forums. As you are in New Zealand, access to garages that can repair your vehicle will be of prime concern. So research would be the best plan before you make your final decision.
We are happy that you found this article helpful.
I drive 2014 freelander 2 sd4, bought it second hand with 100k km is now 145k only problem I have is head lights they are not clear on the road. It ride great and is cheaper on service
Hello,
Thank you for commenting on your experience of reliability with the Land Rover.
Hello, I’m looking at a US Land Rover Certified 2016 Discovery Sport with 50,000 miles on it. This has been fully inspected and seems to run great. Should be cautious about making this purchase? I don’t want to pay thousands of dollars annually on repairs. It’s covered up to 7 years or 100,000 miles.
Hi Shane,
We would recommend you speak to your local garage and check US forums to find out if they have had any issues. The reports we use in the UK are specifically for the UK market. We would always recommend you do research before investing in a new vehicle.
if you live in Auckland NZ , there is a Land Rover Owners Club that my be able to help with advice on buying one of these vehicles .
It’s quite true that Land Rover vehicles are now stuffed full of complex and expensive parts: certainly, if anything goes wrong, the repair bill may be quite high. However, it’s also worth saying that *other* car companies produce high-quality and -price vehicles which don’t seem to suffer as many problems. Think, for example, of Lexus, who have an extremely good reliability reputation, despite the fact that their cars are very, very complicated. It just isn’t enough to say that “Land Rover cars are full of gadgets, so you may have problems”. What people should be saying is “Why is Land Rover not able to design good-looking and robust cars that don’t let people down?”. Until the company asks itself that question, sensible people will go elsewhere.
Hi All, looking FOR SOME sound ADVIEc PLEASE 🙂 , I live in Northern LA, I am looking at getting a 2015-2016 Land Rover Range Rover next yr. My uncle who’s a Mechanic aind Mami advised me the the transmission goes out on these SUV at 80,000 miles. I am looking at these SUV’s in the 50,000 to 70,000 mile range. What are you thoughts or suggestions. Thanks Rudy
Hi Rudy,
We would recommend that you visit forums on Land Rover/Range Rover in the US – though the issues that arise will be the same globally, the cost and availability of the repairs will be different and this is something you will need to consider.
I guess I’ve been really lucky. I drove my first Land Rover for 14 years with no issues. Upgraded to a new LR4…..leased it for 3 years, no issues and now I’m in the Range Rover HSE 2017. I haven’t had any issues with it either. I miss the LR4 for the design and the cargo area. I’m a designer and am always antiquing and hauling furniture. The Defender and Discovery just don’t cut it for me visually…. Hate hearing the brand gets such a bad reviews.
Hi Jett,
Everyone has different experiences. When we write our reviews about reliability we take multiple data sets into account, we are unbiased as we are not connected to any specific manufacturer but we would like all our potential customers and anyone else looking into vehicles to be informed before they make a decision. Also, these are primarily written for a UK audience as we are using data from UK sources.
I bought my first Land Rover from the factory 1967 and used it to tour Europe. I still have it and take it to the Iola Old Car show. After being parked all winter, it immediate starts in the spring. I also used it to tour Mexico. I have owned many Land Rovers and just sold my LR 3. I was a photographer and used these cars in some tough terrain such as off road in the Moab area. I did not like the much smaller new cars. I owned a home in NM and often went off road. I am now retired but I NEVER had any problems with any of these vehicles.
Hi Warner,
Thank you for your comment. These articles are written using data on vehicles up to 10 years old, and take into account smaller issues as well as the ones which require a recall. We look at a considerable amount of data from consumer reports and information from warranty companies that pay out for the vehicle faults. This is all data from the UK.
Excellent point Peter!!!
I’ve had 3 Land Rover over a period of ten years. First one was a Freelander which I had for 3 years until the oil pump failed. They fixed it and shortly after I Bought a LR3HSE. After two year it became a real nightmare. They had to pull out all the electrical and sensors and Rewire the cursed vehicle. Few months later, more problems with the suspension this time and the transmission. At the end, I changed it for a Range Rover Supercharged; had it for a couple of years and then electronics started to pop-up. Changed for a Volvo and still have it. It now has 252,000K, and the only thing I had to replace is the fan unit of the air conditioning.
Hi Michel,
Thank you for sharing your experience, first with the Land Rover and Range Rover models and then with the Volvo.
I’m driving a 2013 LR4. With the exception of a melted spark plug last year, the majority of repairs (I’ve spent $2725 per year on average), are due to the fact that the previous owner (I bought it used 4 years ago) did a horrible job maintaining it. The brake lines needed to be replaced this year. Previously I’ve had to replace all of the tires (the previous owner put the wrong size on) and the transmission lines were leaking, necessitating their replacement. The only problems I’ve had that are endemic to the vehicle are the constant oxygen sensor faults triggered, which also happened in my Prius, the nav system just quit (the audio head is unrepairable faults), and my tires lose pressure every other month. The audio system was garbage anyway, compared to CarPlay options so it’s become an excuse to replace it. The oxygen thing just sorts itself out and the tire pressure is an inconvenience that costs me a dollar every couple of months. Other than that, I have no complaints. I also don’t do any off-roading. This is strictly a “get the kids and their bikes/kayaks/friends/soccer gear/xmas presents/luggage back and forth” vehicle.
I have owened a Range Rover HSE 2006 since 2013. It has not given me problems.
Remi Bamisile
Hello Remi, thank you for sharing your positive experience with your Range Rover HSE. This will be very useful for our reader’s vehicle buying decision.
My 2013 Evoque eD4 already had a broken fuel pump (3000$ repair) a malfunctioning keyless go (1500$ repair) and I will not talk about comfort functions like iPhone connectivity that never worked flawless. But it is a great car, fun to drive, and without Haldex, without Sunroof, without front PDC and tear Camera there is not much that can go wrong. Currently it costs me 25ct/km (without fuel). My last car, scapped at 350000km, a Volvo 480, came in at 5ct/km (without fuel).
Hi there Peter, thank you for sharing an honest review of your Land Rover Evoque. This will be very valuable for OSV’s readers.
Buy a Toyota Landcruiser instead,press the start button and just goes every time.
I’ve had two RR HSE s Sport , 2007 and 2015 … the ‘07 was truly a tank, never any issues, I gave it to my son when I bought the ‘15 … it has almost 300,000 miles!! Now this ‘15 has gone through two engines and now they are saying that I will need another engine!! What a nightmare. I don’t think I’m going to pay for the third engine, I think the Land Rover Inc should be responsible it’s replacing the engine or give a new RR … what do you think ?!
Hi there Walter, thank you for your comment. We would recommend speaking with your local Land Rover dealership or a qualified mechanic to discuss your options. They will be able to provide you with more information on the warranty and any potential recalls or issues with the engine.
If you have any further questions or concerns or are looking to upgrade your current vehicle, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on 01903 538835. We wish you all the best.
I have a 2017 Range Rover HSE. The front windshield began pouring in water. Before I could get it to the dealer it stopped running leaving me stranded in the rain. The dealer told me that several dash components were fried! Initially I was told it was a bad battery which cost over $700! All of this has happened with only 39,000 miles and no off road activity. They show these vehicles in the commercials going through mud bogs and this one couldn’t even handle a rain storm. The extended warranty (Total Warranty) which cost me $3800.00 will not cover water intrusion and the repairs are expected to cost almost $10,000. Thanks Range Rover, never again!
Range rovers do have reliability issues and for the price they are sold and the kind of issues it develops, they should fire their engineering team. Range rovers currently only run, because of their design team.