Should I buy a 2013 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Diesel Automatic Discovery 4?

Explore common problems, estimated repair costs and practical checks for the 2013 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Diesel Automatic Discovery 4. Use this guide to help assess a used car, then unlock a personalised report for the exact vehicle you're considering.

Common problems

1High Likelihood

Crankshaft and bottom-end failure

Knocking from low down in the engine, rumbling under load, oil-pressure warnings, or in some cases sudden failure with little warning.

How to check

Start it from cold, let it idle, then accelerate gently and again from low revs once warm.

Estimated Repair Cost

£5,600

2High Likelihood

Coolant leaks from water pump, thermostat housing or EGR cooler area

Coolant smell after a drive, dropping expansion-tank level, pink staining, or warning messages about coolant.

How to check

Warm the car fully, park up after the drive, and leave it idling briefly with the heater on.

Estimated Repair Cost

£1,200

3High Likelihood

Air suspension compressor and height faults

Suspension warning messages, the car taking too long to rise, compressor running for a long time, or being stuck at one height.

How to check

Start the car from cold, let it settle, then use the height control if fitted and drive over a few small bumps.

Estimated Repair Cost

£1,100

MOT Failure Rate

0%10%20%30%0–20,000 miles: 9.9% (106 failed / 1,070 tests)20,000–40,000 miles: 13.3% (1,172 failed / 8,799 tests)40,000–60,000 miles: 14.8% (2,131 failed / 14,411 tests)60,000–80,000 miles: 17.5% (2,830 failed / 16,179 tests)80,000–100,000 miles: 19.7% (3,029 failed / 15,370 tests)100,000–120,000 miles: 21.1% (2,538 failed / 12,000 tests)120,000–140,000 miles: 22.3% (1,769 failed / 7,944 tests)140,000–160,000 miles: 23.6% (988 failed / 4,178 tests)160,000–180,000 miles: 24.6% (497 failed / 2,023 tests)180,000–200,000 miles: 23.6% (222 failed / 940 tests)020k40k60k80k100k120k140k160k180k200kMilesFailure rate
2013 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Diesel Automatic Discovery 4

Land Rover Discovery buying questions

Is a 2013 Land Rover Discovery worth buying?

It can be, but only if the individual car backs it up. For the 2013 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Diesel Automatic Discovery 4, treat model-level patterns as viewing priorities and let condition, history and inspection evidence decide.

What common problems affect the Land Rover Discovery (2013)?

The problem cards above list the model-level checks for this guide. Read them as priorities for inspection and paperwork review, not proof that every example will have those faults.

What should I check before buying a Land Rover Discovery?

Look for evidence, not just assurances: MOT advisories, service history, repair invoices, warning lights, fluid leaks, tyre and brake condition, and how the car behaves on a proper test drive. And of course, look at your personalised Should I Buy This Car? report, outlining a full list of common issues in detail, a personalised road test, a plain-English explanation and a MotorIQ score.

A model guide is useful. A report on its registration is better.

The guide above gives you the model-level pattern. A personalised MotorIQ report checks the registration-specific record and turns it into an ownership view before you commit.

Or enter the vehicle manually