Used Land Rover Discovery Sport 4x4 2014-present reliability
Category: Large SUV
The Discovery Sport offers go-anywhere ability and practicality in upmarket surroundings. And a very poor reliability record.
What should I look for in a used Land Rover Discovery Sport 4x4?
Interior quality
There has been a higher-than-normal incidence of complaints about squeaks, rattles and other interior quality issues with the Discovery Sport, and while these might seem inconsequential, they’re sometimes difficult to solve, so if the car you’re testing is rattly and it annoys you, don’t assume it’ll be an easy fix.
Electrics
Discovery Sport owners have also reported quite a few electrical foibles, so make sure you check all the electrics work and take note of any warning lights on the dashboard or odd behaviour from the infotainment system.
Bodywork
Discovery Sports are more likely than other SUVs to have been used for light-to-medium off-road work. That being the case, it’s worth checking around the lower bodywork for scuffs, cracks and other signs of damage incurred while off road.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Discovery Sport 4x4?
High CO2 levels
Examples built from 9 March 2015 to 5 July 2018 could produce more CO2 than they should, but if your car is affected, it will only need a software update that can be installed alongside routine servicing.
Insecure locking ring for the fuel pump
A few examples built between 2-7 March 2017 could have a loose locking ring (which secures the fuel pump in the fuel tank), and this could lead to fuel vapour escaping into the interior or fuel to leak out onto the ground. Speak to a Land Rover dealer for further information because a technician will need to check that the ring is tightened correctly to prevent future issues.
Seatbelt pretensioner
The seatbelt pretensioner, which is part of the vehicle's safety restraint system, might not operate correctly on vehicles made between 12 July and 26 October 2016. Find out if your car is affected by this because new pretensioners will need to be fitted if it is.
Electrical short circuit
An issue with chafing of the electrical wiring harness of Discovery Sport models manufactured between 9 July and 16 October 2015 that can lead to a short circuit. Check with a dealer if you think your car is affected by this because it'll need to be inspected by a technician to have the necessary repair work carried out.
Fuel leaks
There have been a couple of recalls regarding fuel leaks. The first could occur from the fuel rail in the engine bay of some examples made from 5 May 2016 to 31 January 2018, while the second is for chafed fuel lines on vehicles built between 5 March 2015 and 22 April 2016. Find out from a Land Rover dealer if yours is affected because it'll need to be inspected by a technician at a dealer.
Is a used Land Rover Discovery Sport 4x4 reliable?
Historically, the Discovery Sport isn't a reliable car. At least, not according to our latest What Car? Reliability Survey. It placed 30th out of 32 cars in the large SUV class with a score of just 80% – a disappointing result indeed.
Owners reported faults with 36% of Discovery Sports, with air-con and engine electrics issues the most common, followed by engine and bodywork. Three-quarters of cars were fixed for free, but 5% cost £1000 or more. Most cars remained driveable, but 20% took more than a week to repair.
Land Rover as a brand didn't fare any better, coming 31st out of 32 manufacturers.
If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
