Used Land Rover Discovery 2017-present reliability review
The Land Rover Discovery is great both on-road and off, but its reliability is a real issue.
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What's the used Land Rover Discovery like?
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Mark Pearson
Updated: 22 May 2026
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What should I look for in a used Land Rover Discovery?
Discoverys are often used as tow vehicles, so if the car’s been fitted with a tow bar, check it hasn’t been asked to pull something that’s too heavy for its maximum tow weight.
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You’ll also find that a few Discovery owners take their cars off road from time to time, so have a good look underneath to check there are no signs of damage and no significant scuffing to suspension components, bumpers or the underside of the engine.
While you’re under the car, check that the spare wheel, which is positioned under the rear end of the car, is still there. They’re easy to steal, so it's possible that the current owner hasn’t even noticed it’s gone.
And you should also check thoroughly around the car for scuffs or scratches; the Discovery’s a big beast and its extremities aren’t all that visible from the inside. Check, too, that the interior hasn’t suffered from familial use and abuse; signs include staining to the upholstery and scuffed or broken fixtures and fittings.
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What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Discovery?
There has been one issue involving diesel-engined cars: their diesel particulate filters seemed to self-clean far more frequently than expected. This in itself isn’t too much of a problem, but it does result in contamination of the oil sooner than you’d think, potentially resulting in more frequent servicing being required. So don’t be surprised if your car’s service light comes on sooner than you were expecting.
There are three listed recalls to check on.
Reason for recall: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) feature will not be available.
Reason for recall: The fuel return hose may leak. Increased fuel odour may be noticed and drivers may also observe liquid fuel puddles underneath the vehicle. It is possible that fuel may leak onto the road surface which can present a skid hazard to other road users increasing the risk of a crash. Should leaking fuel come into contact with a sufficiently hot surface in the engine bay there will be an increased risk of fire.
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Reason for recall: Vehicles failed to routinely achieve the required levels of CO2 emissions.
Reason for recall: The brazing of the fuel rail end caps is inconsistent and may not correctly seal the fuel rail ends. Fuel vapour and liquid fuel leaks can occur over time. This can lead to a liquid fuel leak into the engine bay.
Is a used Land Rover Discovery reliable?
The Discovery didn't perform particularly strongly in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing in 12th position out of 15 seven-seater cars rated.
It scored 84.9% overall, which is one of the poorer results it has had in recent years. It finished above the Audi Q7 and the Seat Tarraco but below the Skoda Kodiaq and the Volvo XC90.
If you're looking for a dependable SUV, it's probably best to avoid Land Rover altogether – the brand finished 26th out of the 30 manufacturers ranked. It finished above Alfa Romeo and Cupra, but below nearly every one of its main rivals.
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A three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty – which also includes UK and European roadside assistance – provides some peace of mind. The three-year term is standard for the class, although the unlimited mileage aspect beats many rivals, including the Q7.
Used Land Rover Discovery reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Land Rover Discovery faced several reliability challenges, particularly with diesel models.
A large number of owners reported recurring issues with warning lights related to the engine and emissions systems. Electrical faults were also commonly cited, including problems with the infotainment system and keyless entry, causing frustration for some drivers.
Many owners expressed dissatisfaction with dealer service, particularly regarding repair times and the high cost of fixing faults. Delays in parts availability were frequently mentioned, leading to extended periods without the vehicle. Some readers praised the professionalism of dealership staff, but this was often overshadowed by complaints of inconsistent communication and the need for multiple visits to resolve issues.
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Overall, while the Discovery’s luxury and capability are valued, many owners felt that its reliability and the associated dealer service fell short of expectations for a premium vehicle.
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About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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