Diesel Land Rover Freelander: MOT pass rate

71.3% of diesel Land Rover Freelanders pass the MOT first time, measured across 116,036 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 120,276.

Diesel against the other Land Rover Freelander versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Land Rover Freelander specifically, diesel is the strongest at 71.3%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points above the 71% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Land Rover Freelander had covered 120,276 miles at test, against 104,880 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Land Rover Freelander page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Land Rover Freelander

1. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.4% of tests (3.41x the national rate for this defect)
2. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.2% of tests (3x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.7% of tests (2.91x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.4% of tests (2.59x the national rate for this defect)
5. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.1% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
6. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.6% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2% of tests (1.88x the national rate for this defect)
8. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.2% of tests (1.79x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.1% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
10. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.9% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)

From 116,691 DVSA-tracked diesel Land Rover Freelander tests, 2024, split out from the Land Rover Freelander's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.31% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Land Rover Freelander

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 4.8% of tests (3.52x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.3% of tests (3.43x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 17.3% of tests (3.34x the national rate for this defect)
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.3% of tests (3.25x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 4.5% of tests (2.93x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 12.2% of tests (1.97x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 8.4% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 18% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.5% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 28.7% of tests

From 116,691 DVSA-tracked diesel Land Rover Freelander tests, 2024.

Other Land Rover Freelander fuel types

• Petrol Land Rover Freelander - 62.8%

All Land Rover Freelander MOT data · Every model