Range Rover MOT Failures: Common Issues & Parts Guide (L405, 2012–2021)

The fourth-generation Range Rover was a landmark car — the first full-size Range Rover with an all-aluminium monocoque body, shedding 420 kg over the outgoing L322. Available with 3.0 V6 and 4.4 V8 diesels, 3.0 V6 and 5.0 V8 supercharged petrols, and later a P400e plug-in hybrid, it set the standard for luxury SUVs. With 53,606 MOT tests recorded in 2024 — one of our largest datasets — here's exactly what's failing.

L405 MOT Pass Rate

The L405 holds a strong 85.3% MOT pass rate — 8.6 percentage points above the UK average of 76.7%. A dramatic improvement over the L322's pass rate, and the aluminium body means structural corrosion is virtually non-existent. The 2018+ models are crossing 89%, while the 2012 first-year cars sit at 78.3%.

The median mileage at MOT is 69,931 miles — moderate for a car of this age and value, reflecting its dual role as a daily driver and prestige car. With 15,357 failure items from 53,606 tests, the L405 averages 0.29 failures per test — dramatically better than any previous Range Rover.

1. Tyres & Wheels — 27.5% of All Failures

Tyres are the largest failure category at 27.5% (4,218 items).

What Fails

• Tyre seriously damaged — 1,974 failures (the #1 item — 12.9% of all failures)
• Tyre cords visible or damaged — 974 failures
• Tyre tread depth non-compliant — 554 failures
• Tyre lump, bulge or tear — 126 failures
• Loose or missing wheel nut/bolt — 188 failures
• TPMS malfunctioning — 97 failures
• Wheel fracture — 85 failures

The tyre damage count at 1,974 — 1 in 27 L405s — reflects the combination of a 2,360+ kg kerb weight, large 20"–22" wheels with low-profile tyres, and UK road surfaces. The wheel fracture count at 85 is notable — certain alloy designs are susceptible to cracking. The loose wheel nut count at 188 is worth monitoring.

What You Need

Tip: The 20" wheels are more practical for UK roads than 21" or 22". Larger wheels with lower-profile tyres are more susceptible to pothole damage, sidewall tears, and cracked rims. Check wheel nut torque after any wheel removal.

2. Suspension — 21.6% of Failures

Suspension accounts for 21.6% (3,316 items).

What Fails

• Suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn — 1,365 failures (the #2 item)
• Suspension joint dust cover deteriorated — 1,155 failures
• Spring fractured or weakened — 295 failures
• Shock absorber damaged or leaking — 174 failures

The dust cover count at 1,155 is rising as the earliest L405s reach 12+ years old — rubber degradation is catching up. The spring fracture count at 295 (1 in 182 cars) confirms this remains a JLR-wide issue, though less severe than on lighter models. At 2,360+ kg, the L405 puts enormous stress on its air springs and conventional coil springs alike.

What You Need

3. Brakes — 19.8% of Failures

Brakes are the third-largest category at 19.8% (3,046 items). Brake pad wear and pipe corrosion dominate.

What Fails

• Brake lining/pad worn below 1.5mm — 1,161 failures (the #3 item — 1 in 46 cars)
• Brake pipe corroded — 826 failures (the #6 item — 1 in 65 cars)
• Brake disc significantly worn — 225 failures
• Brake pad worn to wear indicator — 157 failures
• Brake performance unable to be tested — 149 failures

The pad wear at 1,161 reflects the L405's enormous weight — at over 2.3 tonnes, the brakes work hard. The brake pipe corrosion at 826 is a concern on a car with an aluminium body — the steel brake lines are the corrosion weak point, just as on the X350 XJ. On a car worth £30,000–£80,000, corroded brake pipes are an embarrassing failure.

What You Need

Tip: Inspect the brake pipes annually — corrosion on steel lines under an aluminium body is easy to miss because you don't expect it. Replace with Cunifer for a permanent fix. The front brakes wear significantly faster than the rears on the L405 due to the weight transfer under braking.

4. Lamps & Lighting — 11.4% of Failures

Lighting accounts for 11.4% (1,749 items).

What Fails

• SRS (airbag) MIL malfunction — 612 failures (the #8 item — 1 in 88 cars)
• Headlamp inoperative — 491 failures
• Number plate does not conform — 393 failures
• Headlamp aim outside limits — 188 failures
• Headlamp cleaning device inoperative — 88 failures

The SRS warning at 612 is very high — 1 in 88 L405s has an airbag warning light on. At this age, corroded seat occupancy sensors, degraded wiring under the seats, and module failures are the common causes. The number plate non-conformity at 393 reflects the same aftermarket accessory culture as the New Defender.

What You Need

Tip: The SRS warning light is a mandatory MOT failure. Don't ignore it — have it diagnosed. It's usually a sensor or wiring issue, not an actual airbag fault, and typically costs £100–300 to fix.

5. Visibility — 6.1% of Failures

What Fails

• Wiper blade not clearing windscreen — 717 failures (the #7 item)
• Windscreen washers non-functional — 149 failures

The wiper blade count at 717 is high — the L405's large windscreen demands quality blades.

What You Need

6. Emissions & Engine Management — 3.7% of Failures

What Fails

• Engine MIL illuminated — 381 failures (1 in 141 cars)

On diesel models, DPF regeneration failures and AdBlue/NOx sensor issues are the main triggers. The 3.0 V6 diesel is the dominant engine in the UK fleet.

What You Need

7. Driveline — CV Boots

What Fails

• CV joint boot deteriorated — 394 failures (the #11 item)

What You Need

Beyond the MOT: Major L405 Faults That Drive Workshop Visits

Air Suspension Failure

Standard on all L405s. The air springs, compressor, valve block, and height sensors are all susceptible to failure — the same fundamental issues as every air-sprung JLR vehicle, but with more sophisticated (and expensive) components. A complete corner rebuild (air spring + shock absorber) is a significant cost.

Timing Chain (3.0 V6 Diesel)

The 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 shares the same timing chain stretch and crankshaft risk as the Discovery 4 and XF/XJ. Cold-start rattle is the warning sign. Regular oil changes with the correct specification are essential.

Timing Chain (5.0 V8 Supercharged)

The 5.0 supercharged V8's chain tensioner weakness is well documented — the chain can jump on cold start before oil pressure builds. Regular oil changes and prompt attention to any cold-start rattle are critical.

Cooling System (V8 Petrol)

The supercharged V8 shares the familiar cooling system weaknesses — water pump bearing corrosion, plastic crossover pipe failure, and brittle coolant connectors. Low coolant warnings and weeping around the pump pulley are the early signs.

Crankshaft Failure (3.0 V6 Diesel)

The most catastrophic failure — the 3.0 V6 diesel can suffer crankshaft failure. Oil pressure warnings and bottom-end knocking are the signs. The engine is beyond economical repair.

ZF 8-Speed Gearbox

The ZF 8HP develops the familiar shifting issues — jerky changes, delayed engagement, hesitation. Gearbox fluid should be changed every 60,000–80,000 miles despite the "lifetime fill" claim.

P400e Hybrid Battery & Charging Issues

The plug-in hybrid variant can develop issues with the high-voltage battery cooling system, the onboard charger, and the electric motor. Reduced electric range and "Hybrid System Fault" warnings are the symptoms. The 12V auxiliary battery also drains if the car sits unused.

Electrical & Infotainment

The L405's InControl Touch Pro infotainment system can freeze, reboot, and lose features. Software updates have addressed many issues. The L405 is also sensitive to 12V battery health — a weak battery causes cascading warnings.

L405 MOT Failure Summary — At a Glance

Range Rover MOT Evolution

The aluminium L405 eliminated structural corrosion (from 4.2% to 0.2%) and improved the pass rate by 10 points over the P38A. The failure profile has shifted from age-related corrosion and wear to tyre damage and brake pad consumption — reflecting a fundamentally better-built car driven in a different way.

Keeping Your Range Rover L405 on the Road

The L405 is comfortably the best Range Rover by MOT data — 85.3% pass rate, 0.29 failures per test, and essentially zero structural corrosion. The aluminium body will outlast everything bolted to it.

The MOT priorities are tyres (27.5% — the weight and large wheels are demanding), brakes (19.8% — pads and corroded pipes), and suspension (21.6% — dust covers perishing on older models). The SRS warning light at 612 instances is worth checking before the MOT — it's usually a £200 sensor fix, not a £2,000 airbag replacement.

Beyond the MOT, the timing chain (V6 diesel and V8 petrol), crankshaft (V6 diesel), and air suspension are the long-term ownership risks. Service it on schedule, change the gearbox fluid, and monitor for cold-start rattles.

Browse all Range Rover L405 (2012–2021) parts at myton.parts

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Service & Maintenance Parts

Data sourced from DVSA anonymised MOT test results (2024 test year, 53,606 tests on Range Rover L405 models with first use dates 2012–2021). 15,357 individual failure items analysed. Specialist fault data from K Motors and Land Rover workshop reporting.