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Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) (2017-present) reliability

At a glance

Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2017-presentSUVDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 53,987 tests of Discovery models registered 2017+.

About 1 in 7 diesel Discovery cars registered in 2022 (13.8%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 4,764 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 Discovery Mk5 (L462) MOTs (3.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 10,556 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Discovery Mk5 (L462) MOTs (4.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 10,556 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk5 (L462) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,72412.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
10,24512.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
7,95512.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
9,46912.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
10,55614.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,03815.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 8 years old.

How the Discovery Mk5 (L462) compares

At each age below, see how the Discovery Mk5 (L462) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 82,678 tests across 6 Land Rover models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateLand Rover average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,72412.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
10,24512.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
7,95512.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
9,46912.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
10,55614.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,03815.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Discovery Mk5 (L462).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 14.1% for the Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462), both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 14.1% for the Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 14.1% for the Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462), both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 14.1% for the Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462), both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

59 recalls in all

19 of the 59 Discovery Mk5 (L462) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 15 more

Top concerns

  • Driver’s airbag potential Non-Deployment
  • Defender and Discovery 2026 model year fuel tank wall thickness
  • AJ20-D6 and AJ20-P6 engine oil filter housing cracked

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Discovery Mk5 (L462) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 725 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
8%
Emissions
4%
Drivetrain
1%
Steering
1%

Wear items

Tyres
23%
Brakes
12%
Lighting
5%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel Discovery tests (not specific to Mk5 (L462)).

1.4 to 2.0 litres14.9%2,116 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres13.7%7,973 tests
How Discovery Mk5 (L462) cars have aged

How Discovery Mk5 (L462) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%345678Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (8,117 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (7,494 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (5,050 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (4,657 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.4% (4,461 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (6,854 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (6,223 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (5,974 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (5,621 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (7,770 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (7,281 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (6,597 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (6,303 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (6,172 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (8,390 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (7,760 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (7,358 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (7,133 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (7,038 tests, 2025 data)2017
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk5 (L462) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk5 (L462) cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension2%8%10%
Brakes12%12%20%
Emissions5%4%6%
Tyres18%23%26%
Lighting7%5%8%
Drivetrain3%1%1%
SteeringNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%0%1%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 153 to 739 cars at each age.

Mk5 (L462) variants compared

Discovery Mk5 (L462) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Discovery Mk5 (L462) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • DISCOVERY SPORT15.7%22,335 tests
  • DISCOVERY14.0%10,091 tests

Petrol

  • DISCOVERY SPORT14.8%1,301 tests
  • DISCOVERY16.6%453 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Land Rover Discoverys of this age

This list covers every Land Rover Discovery built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk5 (L462) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.0%
    Advisory: 2,190Fail: 129 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    12.9%
    Advisory: 1,497Fail: 248 (14% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    9.8%
    Advisory: 1,526Fail: 203 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    8.0%
    Advisory: 1,240Fail: 14 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.8%
    Advisory: 515Fail: 212 (29% of the times it was found)

Based on 10,556 tests

Looking at a Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) (2017-present) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 10,556 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 53,987 MOT tests on Land Rover Discoverys first registered from 2017. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.