Faults:

Failed oil seal on n/s front swivel

Failed o/s/f hub.

General Comments:

This Discovery was originally owned by a farm and was driven beyond destruction. It was therefore comprehensively revamped prior to my buying it.

Despite this hammering, it retains its poise and performance (comparatively speaking) and is still returning over 34mpg despite having done over 115,000 miles.

Being a base model, it's not suffered from a lot of usual Discovery failures because it's not been fitted with them - no sunroofs to leak or air con to give out.

This may be a big clue as to what sort of Discovery to buy - get a basic one and you'll be surprised how long they last without problems.

Faults:

Front offside drive shaft.

Water pump - twice.

Exhaust cracked near manifold

Body shifted off rear axle - potentially a fatal fault.

Front headlights - frequently switch off - normally nearside.

Rear offside flasher unit - frequently blows bulbs.

Dashboard warped - apparently common on the model and subject of a manufacturer's recall some years ago, Never did manage to get mine agreed.

Windscreen liable to cracking - I'd guess this is from the very upright shape and therefore more vulnerable to stones flying up from road.

General Comments:

Poor quality build. Lots of knobs, switches malfunction, fall off.

Rusty around rear door, rear bumper, under rear-floor pan.

Lighting problems really should not be issues.

Indicator stalk sometimes jams, disconnects front headlights.

Faults:

Water leaks into the rear of the vehicle from the channel running the length of the body. Carpets are now soaking wet. Very difficult to trace and rectify.

Faults:

Nothing so far, fingers crossed. Although when we purchased the car it did have a sticking up dash, like thousands of other Land Rovers have, a fault with the glue we were told. Luckily we watch WATCHDOG everyweek and saw that Land Rover would replace faulty ones free of charge, which they sure did with no problem at all. So take note all you sticking-up dashboard owners and get it done.

General Comments:

I was a bit doubtful about it to begin with, it seemed sluggish and huge, but it grows on you, and we love it, can't imagine driving a small car ever again.

Faults:

Gearbox - baulking on 1st/2nd change.

Gearbox - stuck in 2nd gear for 45 miles.

Crankshaft pulley disintegrated.

Body corrosion on doors.

Electrical - badly routed cables chafed, causing short circuits.

Ignition lock seized.

General Comments:

Not everybody's favourite, has been described as agricultural, but enormously strong and reliable for over 110,000 miles. Pulls trailers and horseboxes as if they don't exist. Steady 26-28 mpg and tons of room inside, especially headroom.

Gas shocks and polybushes plus anti-roll bars front and rear give a firmer ride and much better handling.

A vehicle with character, more like a friend than a mere means of transport.