Used Land Rover Range Rover 2002-2013 reliability

If you’re going to buy a Range Rover, it's vital that you go for one with a full service history to give yourself some reassurance.

Electronic and software glitches aren’t unknown, often showing up as false warning lights or various bings and bongs. Switching the engine off and on again can sometimes sort this, but if it doesn’t, the fault could well be more serious.

Some earlier models had their rear lights fill with rainwater. They were replaced under warranty, but it's always worth checking for this.

Other than that, check for off-road damage. The Range Rover can tackle very tough terrain, but it isn’t a tank.

One of the most common problems with the Range Rover is front differential failure. This is down to the propshaft coupling wearing and leaves the car with no drive to the front wheels. Many cars will have had this fixed under warranty, but check the service history to be sure.

The standard air suspension can also suffer failures, with the compressor most often the cause. There are three settings to choose from, so you should check that the car responds when you switch between these and that it stays at the chosen height when parked – this will show if there are any leaks in the system.

All Range Rovers have automatic gearboxes, which are generally very robust, although there have been a few reports of premature failures.

The rear hub bushes can wear, something that reveals itself through a clonking noise over bumps. Also, cars with 20in wheels or bigger are more prone to suspension wear.

According to data from CAP Derwent, which pools repair information from some of the UK’s biggest vehicle leasing firms, the Range Rover typically needs new brake pads every 30,000 miles – 5000 miles earlier than the average luxury SUV.

However, it’s usually more than 100,000 miles before the air conditioning needs re-gassing. Serviceable items such as bulbs, fuel filters, pollen filters and brake fluid are all long lasting, too.