CarVerify

Free Car Check

R738 VLS

1997 Land Rover Discovery

Gold Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Jan 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

163,947 mi
Last recorded163,947 miles
Recorded on17 Jan 2026
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
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £12.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR738 VLS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDiscovery
Year1997
ColourGold
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 17 Jan 2026 163,947 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All greased (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Under body sealed

Pass 21 Jun 2024 162,891 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases rear (6.1.2 (a))

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

chassis covered in underseal

front suspension and components have age related corrosion

rear suspension and components have age related corrosion

underbody covered in underseal

Pass 7 Jul 2023 154,132 miles

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

Underside has general age related corrosion

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 7 Jul 2023 154,132 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the left (4.1.2 (a))

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

Underside has general age related corrosion

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Jul 2022 147,821 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Underside has general age related corrosion

Fail 7 Jul 2022 147,821 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Underside has general age related corrosion

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid Water (3.5 (a))

Pass 19 Jul 2021 143,149 miles

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

underbody covered in underseal

Pass 7 Jul 2020 139,204 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both rear (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

rear chassis has age related corrosion

Pass 18 Apr 2019 135,869 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 10 Nov 2017 133,414 miles

Body has slight corrosion Underside has corrosion to various areas & body mounts (6.1.B.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front Bumper insecure ()

Nearside Body has slight corrosion Sill (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Body has slight corrosion Sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Oil leak ()

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Chassis (6.1.A.1)

Pass 19 Nov 2016 130,410 miles

underside of body has been heavily shultz no visible corrotion to underside extensive work been cariedout

Fail 27 Apr 2016 130,399 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Fuel tank insecure (7.2.1)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 26 Jan 2016 130,115 miles
Fail 20 Jan 2016 130,115 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded caliper (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded seat belt mount (5.2.6)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded floor to sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded seat belt mount (5.2.6)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 23 Jan 2015 126,283 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2015 126,247 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 23 Jan 2014 122,456 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2014 122,441 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 25 Jan 2013 118,488 miles
Fail 15 Jan 2013 118,417 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 26 Jan 2012 114,987 miles

rear discs rusty

Fail 23 Jan 2012 114,951 miles

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

rear discs rusty

Pass 18 Jan 2011 111,181 miles

o/s/r disc rusty

Pass 15 Jan 2010 106,484 miles

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

nearside rear brake pipe covered in grease

Fail 5 Jan 2010 106,484 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 28 Jan 2009 103,406 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 11 Dec 2007 99,059 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2006 94,936 miles
Pass 13 Dec 2005 86,943 miles

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R738 VLS is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery in Gold with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R738 VLS, 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 R738 VLS?

You can check the full history of R738 VLS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R738 VLS registered?

R738 VLS is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R738 VLS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R738 VLS shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R738 VLS 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 R738 VLS. 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.