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Land Rover Freelander years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

108,544 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2002–2014 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Land Rover Freelander years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2002–2006. Above it: 2007–2014.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

65.1%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 64.8% to 65.4%.

In 2025, 65.1% of the 108,544 initial MOT tests on Land Rover Freelander cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 61.0%. That is 4.2 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Freelander

Its own MOT history, free.

Land Rover Freelander MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2014age 1111,53290,70077.4%±0.8+8.8 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 1213,006102,20072.8%±0.8+7.0 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 1310,299107,70071.3%±0.9+7.8 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 1412,043117,60068.9%±0.9+7.7 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 1513,428124,60064.1%±0.9+4.8 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 169,315130,70063.1%±1.0+4.8 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 179,852138,40060.1%±1.0+2.9 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 1812,210143,40059.6%±0.9+2.2 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 194,960129,20053.4%±1.4−3.6 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 204,419127,00051.4%±1.5−6.2 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 213,577126,90053.3%±1.7−4.5 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 222,232130,30053.9%±2.1−4.8 ptsall: 58.7%
2002age 231,671131,50054.4%±2.4−5.1 ptsall: 59.5%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Land Rover Freelander first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

82.6% of Land Rover Freelander tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 58.8% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 72.2% and 55.9%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9995,41282.6%±1.1+10.4 ptsall: 72.2%
60,000–89,99917,74875.3%±0.7+11.9 ptsall: 63.4%
90,000–119,99930,24967.0%±0.6+8.8 ptsall: 58.2%
120,000 or more54,59058.8%±0.5+2.9 ptsall: 55.9%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Freelander tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Land Rover Freelander tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 77 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Freelander problems at the MOT

Share of the 37,876 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Freelander

Based on the areas where Land Rover Freelander MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 43.5% of failed Freelander tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 40.9% of failed Freelander tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Brakes

    In 30.1% of failed Freelander tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Steering

    In 17.7% of failed Freelander tests

    • With the engine running, turn the wheel from lock to lock. It should move smoothly and quietly.
    • On a straight, level road, the car should run straight with the steering wheel centred.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Freelander's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Land Rover Freelander cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Land Rover Freelander cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.5% failed on tyres, against 2.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 10,179 and 44,562 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory6.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted2.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.9% of those with a tyre advisory and 12.9% of the others.

Brakes

Of Land Rover Freelander cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 12.9% failed on brakes, against 7.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 11,543 and 43,089 cars.

  • With a brake advisory12.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted7.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.7% of those with a brake advisory and 12.3% of the others.

Suspension

Of Land Rover Freelander cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 18.1% failed on suspension, against 11.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 11,378 and 42,673 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory18.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted11.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.7% of those with a suspension advisory and 12.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Land Rover Freelander questions

Which Land Rover Freelander years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2002–2006. Above average: 2007–2014. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Land Rover Freelander reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 65.1% of initial MOT tests on Land Rover Freelander cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 61.0%. That is 4.2 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Land Rover Freelander problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 43.5% of failed tests), suspension (in 40.9% of failed tests) and brakes (in 30.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Land Rover Freelander?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Land Rover Freelander cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 124,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Freelander's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Land Rover Freelander

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Land Rover models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 8 Land Rover modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Land Rover Freelander cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count