Faults:

Clutch hydraulic hose became blocked with dirt; got my Land Rover mechanic to replace the master and slave as they were likely to go wrong again, cost $250 incl. labour.

Power steering developed a leak from the input seal after hitting a kerb at 60kph. "Fixed" with a thick rubber washer, which cost $2, now it just seeps fluid gradually and needs topping up every couple of weeks.

High-Low selector lever broke from metal fatigue, cost a $10 weld to fix (but several hours of own labour).

One injector thread has a hairline crack in it, driven it like this for 30000km, but intend to repair when I do 200000km cambelt change.

Rear wheel bearings went after seals wore and they became contaminated with sand after some off-roading. Should have maintained them more regularly.

Indicators and headlights have stupid plastic surrounds, which perish.

General Comments:

It is very comfortable, despite its truck like underpinnings. Combined with the massive interior space and fuel economy, it is the preferred vehicle for any long trip.

People love to knock the reliability of these trucks, but I give mine hell and it just keeps going. Servicing is very important, make sure you buy one with a good service history and keep a tight service schedule. It is very simple to work on; anybody with a garage, toolbox and Haynes manual can do most jobs.

Diesel engine is a total reptile; noisy and slow, but reliable and runs off the smell of an oily rag. Tank is 89 liters and I get 800km out of that on average, which usually includes some towing and off road driving. Once got 1050km out of it on a long highway trip. Astounding for a two tonne vehicle. It also doesn't smoke at all. It does consume about a liter of oil every 5000km, but I call this the Land Rover chassis rust prevention system!

It has been rolled twice by the previous owner and twice by myself, and is very dinged and shabby on the outside. Despite this, it still drives like a dream, a testament to the mechanical strength of the vehicle. The last time it rolled, it landed on the A pillars, and while the roof buckled a little and the windscreen broke, the pillars did not budge an inch. It is top heavy, and in my leaf sprung Landy it probably wouldn't have rolled at all, but I walked out, and, once it had been flipped upright with a winch, the Disco drove home.

Because it is so good mechanically, I am going to replace the body soon.

Faults:

Radiator hose went after 20,000 of use. Not bad really.

Leaks oil, but you can fill it up quicker than it comes out.

A/C broke within 5 months of use. Feeble anyway for size of vehicle.

General Comments:

A fantastic car which was bought for peanuts. The V8 pulls like a tractor and will tow anything, including a tractor come to think about it.

I run the car on both petrol and LPG and it runs excellently on both.

Very comfortable on long hwy trips and can just as happily turn off road and drive you across the odd Australian desert.

Most bits are easy and cheap to fix. The engine can be temperamental and I think it is a matter of luck whether you get a good or bad one.

Stylish looking, it still turns heads and you know driving it that you can go anywhere, more than you can say about a BMW X5.

Faults:

Left rocker cover gasket (x2).

Eight rocker cover gasket.

Engine T seal.

Low range selector switch.

Central locking.

Driver's power window.

Horn stalk broke.

Driving lights failed at speed one night.

Speedometer failed.

Water leak into the cabin.

Vibration from factory wheels.

Coolant leak destroyed the starter motor (only Land Rover would run a pipe containing corrosive coolant over a starter motor!)

Rear axle leaked.

General Comments:

Lives up to its name as the world's best off road vehicle - spends a lot of time off road in work shops. The 'Discovery' is what 'S' stands for.

Very expensive to fix.

Basically the electricals are dreadful and you cannot keep water out of it or oil in it.

Clutch and doors are heavy - wife hates this vehicle.

Only buy one if you are a died in the wool Land Rover fanantic.

All Land Rover Australia wanted to do was make excuses - no help from them.