Car statistics by year
1997 Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Discovery cars first registered in 1997: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 1997, so like is set against like.
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 70.3% All 1997 cars 68.5%
- Typical mileage at the MOT 152,200 miles; all 1997 cars 94,900
- Left at the end of 2025 5,025 58.4% of the 8,602 at the end of 2014
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 6.2% All 1997 cars 6.0%
- Tests with an advisory 64.2% All 1997 cars 58.2%
- MOT tests in 2025 903 normal tests in Great Britain
How do 1997 Land Rover Discoverys do at their MOT?
In 2025, at about 28 years old, 70.3% of 1997 Land Rover Discovery MOT tests were passed first time, against 68.5% for all cars first registered in 1997. 1997 Land Rover Discoverys did better than average for their age, by 1.8 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 69.1% of the time (all 1997 cars 67.2%).
MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Land Rover Discovery vs all cars
Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Land Rover Discovery bar with the all-cars bar beside it.
| First registered | Land Rover Discovery | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| ’94 | 73.9% | 73.1% |
| ’95 | 69.4% | 71.5% |
| ’96 | 72.1% | 70.0% |
| ’97 | 70.3% | 68.5% |
| ’98 | 68.7% | 67.1% |
| ’99 | 67.0% | 65.4% |
| ’00 | 64.9% | 63.1% |
| ’01 | 65.3% | 61.5% |
| ’02 | 65.1% | 59.7% |
| ’03 | 66.4% | 58.9% |
| ’04 | 65.6% | 57.9% |
| ’05 | 64.7% | 57.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures on the 1997 Land Rover Discovery
Chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting was the most common single reason a 1997 Land Rover Discovery failed, on 16.4% of about 300 failed tests. By area of the car, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment failed most often (59.0% of failed tests; all 1997 cars 41.8%). 6.2% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 6.0% for all cars first registered in 1997. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Body, chassis, structure | 16.4% |
| Seat belts: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 14.6% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.3% |
| Rear fog lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.3% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 11.2% |
| Headlamp aim: too low Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.7% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.3% |
| Shock absorbers: excessively worn bush Suspension | 8.6% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.5% |
| Side repeaters: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Failure categories: Land Rover Discovery vs all 1997 cars
The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.
| Category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 59.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 41.0% |
| Suspension | 34.3% |
| Brakes | 28.4% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 18.7% |
| Visibility | 15.3% |
| Steering | 14.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT advisories on the 1997 Land Rover Discovery
An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 64.2% of 1997 Land Rover Discovery tests had at least one (all 1997 cars 58.2%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.
Most common advisories
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 29.8% |
| Wheel bearings: slight play Suspension | 13.7% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 9.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 8.9% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 8.3% |
| Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Body, chassis, structure | 7.1% |
| Chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Body, chassis, structure | 7.0% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 6.4% |
| Chassis condition: corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Body, chassis, structure | 6.2% |
| Shock absorbers: slightly worn bush Suspension | 6.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
What mileage is normal for a 1997 Land Rover Discovery?
Half of the 1997 Land Rover Discoverys tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 152,200 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 121,300 and a quarter more than 181,900. For all cars first registered in 1997, the middle figure was 94,900 miles, so 1997 Land Rover Discoverys have been driven 60.4% further than average.
Mileage at the 2025 MOT
Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.
| 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Cars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Land Rover Discovery | 92,200 | 121,300 | 152,200 | 181,900 | 212,800 | 861 |
| All 1997 cars | 43,000 | 65,700 | 94,900 | 129,600 | 166,500 | 27,354 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
How many 1997 Land Rover Discoverys are left?
At the end of 2014, 8,602 1997 Land Rover Discoverys were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 5,025 were: 639 licensed and 4,386 declared off the road (SORN). That is 58.4% still on the record, against 33.7% for all cars first registered in 1997.
Share still on the record since 2014
Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2014. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.
| Year end | 1997 Land Rover Discovery | All 1997 cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2015 | 94.3% | 83.2% |
| 2016 | 88.6% | 70.3% |
| 2017 | 84.1% | 60.0% |
| 2018 | 78.6% | 52.5% |
| 2019 | 74.4% | 47.4% |
| 2020 | 71.2% | 44.1% |
| 2021 | 68.9% | 41.0% |
| 2022 | 66.1% | 39.0% |
| 2023 | 64.7% | 37.2% |
| 2024 | 60.4% | 34.9% |
| 2025 | 58.4% | 33.7% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated
Recalls that may affect cars built around 1997
2 of the Land Rover Discovery’s 68 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 1997. 1 has no build dates, so could apply to any year.
The 1997 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 1997 may have been built in 1996, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.
| Launched | Concern | Built | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2005 | Possibility of stress cracks in the plastic fuel tank | 15 Apr 1993 to 7 Sept 1998 | 21,191 (all models) |
| 20 Mar 1998 | Involuntary operation of air bag | 1 Jan 1994 to 31 Mar 1997 | 15,175 (all models) |
Every Land Rover Discovery recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls
Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
Other years of the Land Rover Discovery
29 years of the Land Rover Discovery, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2010 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (70.4% passed first time) and the 2022 cars worst (85.3%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | – | 4,192 | 73.9% |
| 1995 | – | 5,146 | 69.4% |
| 1996 | – | 4,762 | 72.1% |
| 1997 | – | 5,025 | 70.3% |
| 1998 | – | 3,686 | 68.7% |
| 1999 | – | 4,727 | 67.0% |
| 2000 | – | 4,453 | 64.9% |
| 2001 | – | 5,888 | 65.3% |
| 2002 | – | 6,085 | 65.1% |
| 2003 | – | 7,113 | 66.4% |
| 2004 | – | 7,471 | 65.6% |
| 2005 | – | 8,233 | 64.7% |
| 2006 | – | 7,913 | 62.1% |
| 2007 | – | 6,621 | 63.9% |
| 2008 | – | 4,668 | 64.7% |
| 2009 | – | 4,948 | 66.8% |
| 2010 | – | 6,071 | 70.4% |
| 2011 | – | 5,460 | 71.2% |
| 2012 | – | 6,145 | 72.7% |
| 2013 | – | 5,501 | 74.1% |
| 2014 | 7,425 | 6,625 | 76.9% |
| 2015 | 23,737 | 22,284 | 79.4% |
| 2016 | 32,482 | 29,764 | 79.4% |
| 2017 | 33,837 | 31,505 | 81.3% |
| 2018 | 26,748 | 25,465 | 83.1% |
| 2019 | 23,167 | 22,324 | 83.4% |
| 2020 | 15,825 | 15,615 | 84.0% |
| 2021 | 12,423 | 11,928 | 85.1% |
| 2022 | 6,846 | 6,587 | 85.3% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 903 MOT tests of 1997 Land Rover Discovery cars | 15 September 2026 |
| Cars on the record | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of 2025 | 5,025 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
- MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Land Rover Discovery cars first registered in 1997; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 1997.
- Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
- Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
- Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
- Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.