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R543 MDE

1997 Land Rover Discovery

Green Petrol 3940cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Nov 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

168,028 mi
Last recorded168,028 miles
Recorded on24 Nov 2025
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Discovery124,978 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR543 MDE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDiscovery
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,940cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 24 Nov 2025 168,028 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2025 168,014 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Floor/outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner sill/outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Nov 2024 167,952 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

emissions tested on engine age

Fail 18 Nov 2024 167,952 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 8 Aug 2023 167,940 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced under body sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Road wheel fixings not compatible (5.2.2 (d))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced under body sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake hydraulic reservoir close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 3 Feb 2022 167,389 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2022 167,389 miles

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Windscreen washer not working both (3.5 (a))

Pass 27 Oct 2020 166,755 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 26 Oct 2020 166,755 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 4 Nov 2019 166,171 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2019 166,149 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Pass 6 Sep 2018 165,924 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2017 162,489 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2016 159,619 miles
Fail 4 Aug 2016 159,619 miles

Centre Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Centre Outer Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 17 Jul 2015 152,106 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2014 140,411 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2013 130,214 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2012 120,307 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2011 110,750 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2010 84,594 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2009 70,350 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 13 Aug 2009 70,350 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2008 70,315 miles
Fail 12 Jan 2008 70,303 miles

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

How Reliable is the Land Rover Discovery?

Based on 4,388,972 MOT tests across 325,470 vehicles.

72.7%
Pass Rate
6,904
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
325,470
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 153,632
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 141,712
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 136,366
position lamp(s) not working 91,214
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 88,089
Full Land Rover Discovery reliability report

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R543 MDE is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery in Green with a 3,940cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Discovery models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.7% with a typical mileage of 124,978 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Discovery fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 153,632 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R543 MDE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Discovery typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 29 years old, this Land Rover Discovery is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R543 MDE?

You can check the full history of R543 MDE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R543 MDE registered?

R543 MDE is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R543 MDE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R543 MDE shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R543 MDE have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R543 MDE. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.