2017–nowD5 SelectedD52.0 Si4 petrolPetrolSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.Land Rover Discovery D5: common faults & what to check
The D5 is the Land Rover Discovery built 2017 onward. It was sold here with the 2.0 Si4 petrol, 3.0 SDV6, and 3.0 mild-hybrid diesel. Of the 27 faults documented for the Discovery, 7 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.
Check this exact Land Rover Discovery
- Odometer history
- Money owing
- Reported stolen
- Ownership history
27
Critical
$900–$3,500
7
You're looking at the D5
2017–nowD5 SelectedD52.0 Si4 petrolPetrolSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.
2017–nowD5 SelectedD53.0 SDV6Fuel not statedSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.
2017–nowD5 SelectedD53.0 mild-hybrid dieselDieselSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.Now narrow it to the engine
A 2018 Land Rover Discovery is the D5 generation (2017 to now).
Start your free check on this Land Rover Discovery
Pick the engine above first: the Discovery came with 3, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine
Can't confirm for this car
Land Rover Discovery · 2018
Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.
Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.
- No engine is recorded for this vehicle.
matched on year only
What to look out for
Serious issue
Ask for proof the rear door latch recall (REC-005703) was done, or have a Land Rover dealer check the VIN.
Rear door latch corrosion recall REC-005703: doors may open while moving (Discovery 5, 2017-2020)
On the L462 Discovery 5 (all engines, 2017-2020) water can get into the rear door latches and corrode them, so a rear door may not latch properly and could open while driving. Land Rover Australia recalled these cars under REC-005703 and the fix is free at a Land Rover dealer. Not every car in these years is in the recall; a dealer check of the VIN is the only way to know.
What you would notice
Costly issue
Check the stance on arrival before the car is started.
Air suspension faults — compressor, valve blocks and air spring leaks (D5)
The Discovery 5 carries over full air suspension and the same ownership reality: compressors wear, valve blocks and air lines leak, and height sensor faults throw 'suspension fault' warnings, with cars sagging overnight as they age past 5-7 years. It is less failure-prone than the D3/D4 era but is now the most common D5 complaint on owner forums as the fleet ages. Repairs at NZ independent Land Rover specialists are routine but not cheap.
What you would notice
Common issue
Test the full infotainment, camera, keyless entry and tailgate during the viewing.
InControl Touch Pro infotainment and electrical gremlins (D5)
Early Discovery 5s are known for software-related electrical faults: the InControl Touch Pro screen freezing or rebooting, reversing camera dropouts, phantom warning messages, keyless entry and powered tailgate glitches, and flat batteries from modules failing to sleep. Most are fixed by dealer software updates and battery replacement, but an un-updated car can be a constant irritation. JLR issued numerous software campaigns for these systems.
What you would notice
See all 7 issues for this one
Engine, transmission & cooling
Electrical
02InControl Touch Pro infotainment and electrical gremlins (D5)
Early Discovery 5s are known for software-related electrical faults: the InControl Touch Pro screen freezing or rebooting, reversing camera dropouts, phantom warning messages, keyless entry and powered tailgate glitches, and flat batteries from modules failing to sleep. Most are fixed by dealer software updates and battery replacement, but an un-updated car can be a constant irritation. JLR issued numerous software campaigns for these systems.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1 critical
03Rear door latch corrosion recall REC-005703: doors may open while moving (Discovery 5, 2017-2020)
On the L462 Discovery 5 (all engines, 2017-2020) water can get into the rear door latches and corrode them, so a rear door may not latch properly and could open while driving. Land Rover Australia recalled these cars under REC-005703 and the fix is free at a Land Rover dealer. Not every car in these years is in the recall; a dealer check of the VIN is the only way to know.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
04Air suspension leaks and compressor wear on the Discovery 5
The Discovery rides on air springs at all four corners, and the system is the model's most famous weak point. Two things wear: the rubber air springs develop fine cracks with age — commonly reported from around 130,000-160,000 km — and leak down slowly, and the compressor that refills them then runs far more than it was designed to and burns itself out. The order matters, because a leaking spring is what kills the compressor, so replacing only the compressor on a car with tired springs buys a short reprieve at full price. The symptom is a car that sits low or lopsided after being parked overnight and lifts once running, which is easy to check and easy to miss if you only ever see the car already running.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
05Air suspension faults — compressor, valve blocks and air spring leaks (D5)
Depends on the exact engine — 2 more
Engine, transmission & cooling
012.0 SD4 Ingenium diesel timing chain failure
Can't confirm for this car022.0 Ingenium diesel timing chain stretch (Discovery 5)
Can't confirm for this car
Can't confirm for this car
The 2.0 Ingenium diesel fitted to the Discovery 5 is well known for timing chains that stretch earlier than they should, particularly on 2017-2020 cars. The warning is a rattle in the first seconds after a cold start, often alongside a Restricted Performance message on the dash, and it is not a noise to live with: a chain that jumps timing on a diesel destroys the engine. Related and made worse by the same driving pattern — this engine also suffers oil dilution, where unburnt diesel from incomplete DPF regenerations thins the oil, and thin oil accelerates chain wear. Short-trip, town-only cars are the worst case for both, which describes a lot of large SUVs.
Example of the part — not this vehicleThe front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Other Land Rover Discovery engines and years
Engine, transmission & cooling
01TDV6 2.7 Oil Pump Drive Sprocket Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The 276DT 2.7 TDV6 engine uses a plastic-toothed sprocket to drive the oil pump off the crankshaft. The sprocket teeth strip or the sprocket body fractures under thermal cycling and chain load, immediately stopping oil pump drive. Oil pressure drops to zero within seconds and the engine suffers catastrophic bearing and bore damage before the oil pressure warning lamp can prompt driver response. The failure is most common between 80,000 and 150,000 km but can occur earlier with poor oil change intervals.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
022.7 TDV6 crankshaft and main bearing failure — catastrophic
Does not apply
Does not apply
The Discovery 3's 2.7 TDV6 has a documented pattern of spun main bearing shells and crankshaft fracture (typically between the second and third mains), driven by marginal oiling, long service intervals, blocked pickups and hard use. When it lets go the engine is scrap, and a replacement engine fitted in NZ is a five-figure bill. Risk is heavily service-history dependent: 10,000 km oil changes with quality oil dramatically reduce it, and unexplained bottom-end rumble on start-up is a walk-away sign.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
03TDV6 2.7 Oil Cooler Seal Failure and Oil-Into-Coolant Contamination
Does not apply044.0 V8 head gasket failure and slipped cylinder liners after overheating
Does not apply
Does not apply
The Discovery 2's Rover-derived V8 has weak block casting tolerances: overheating commonly blows head gaskets, and a severe overheat can slip a cylinder liner or crack the block, which is terminal without a top-hat linered rebuild or replacement engine. The pattern is well documented across Land Rover forums and buyer's guides. Any V8 D2 must be checked hard for cooling system health and past overheating.
Example of the part — not this vehicleA used multi-layer head gasket. Discolouration between a cylinder and a water gallery is the tell.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
05TDV6 2.7 Secondary Timing Chain Wear – Chain Between Camshafts
Does not apply064.0 V8 Head Gasket Failure – Both Banks
Does not apply07TDV6/SDV6 timing belt service — front AND rear (fuel pump) belts, oil pump lug risk
Does not apply
Does not apply
The 2.7/3.0 TDV6 family has two timing belts: the main front belt and a second, often-forgotten belt at the rear of the engine driving the high-pressure fuel pump. Both need replacing (roughly every 7 years/105,000 km) and it is an expensive, labour-heavy job — so it gets skipped. On early 2.7s the tensioner mounts to a lug on the oil pump casing that can crack and break, letting the belt jump; either failure destroys this interference engine. No belt receipts = budget the job immediately.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
08TD5 Oil Cooler Internal Failure – Coolant and Oil Cross-Contamination
Does not apply09ZF 6HP26 Automatic Transmission Mechatronic Unit Failure
Does not applyElectrical
01TD5 Injector Wiring Harness Failure
Does not apply02Battery earth connection recalls PRA 2021/18805 and REC-001679: engine can cut out (Discovery 5, 2019-2021)
Does not apply
Does not apply
On the L462 Discovery 5 (all engines, 2019-2021) the battery earth connection may not make proper contact, which can cause a range of electrical faults and can make the engine cut out while driving. Land Rover Australia recalled these cars under PRA 2021/18805 and REC-001679 and the fix is free at a Land Rover dealer. Not every car in these years is in the recall; a dealer check of the VIN is the only way to know.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
03Terrain Response Control Module and Actuator Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The Terrain Response system uses a dedicated electronic control module (TRCM) communicating over CAN bus to manage differential locks, throttle mapping, transmission shift patterns, and stability program calibration. The module can develop internal CAN communication faults or EEPROM corruption. Separately, the rotary actuators that physically execute differential lock and throttle bypass commands use small geared DC motors that strip teeth or seize, preventing mode changes. Either failure disables the entire Terrain Response system including Hill Descent Control.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
04Td5 'oil in the loom' — engine oil wicking up the injector harness
Does not applyBody, brakes, suspension & interior
01Front Differential Mounting Crossmember Corrosion Perforation
Does not apply02Front Lower Wishbone Ball Joint Wear and Failure
Does not apply03Brake booster oil contamination recall PRA 2009/10961 (2.7 TDV6 diesel, L319 Discovery 3, 2005-2009)
Does not apply
Does not apply
On the 2.7 TDV6 diesel L319 Discovery 3 built November 2005 to June 2009, oil can migrate from the engine driven vacuum pump into the brake booster. The brake pedal then becomes harder to press and stopping distances increase. Land Rover Australia recalled these cars under PRA 2009/10961, extended under PRA 2010/11848, and the fix is free at a Land Rover dealer.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
04Air Suspension Compressor Failure and Air Strut Puncture
Does not apply05ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement) pipe corrosion and valve block failure
Does not apply06Air suspension compressor failure and sagging (D3/D4)
Does not apply07Electronic parking brake (EPB) module and shoe failure
Does not applyLand Rover Discovery faults in detail
What these repairs cost on other cars
Some of the Land Rover Discovery’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.
Other Land Rover models
Land Rover Discovery buyer questions
Is the Land Rover Discovery reliable?
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 27 documented faults for the Land Rover Discovery, the recurring problem areas are engine, body & rust, and cooling. A Land Rover Discovery with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Discovery?
We've catalogued 27 known faults for the Land Rover Discovery, covering engine, body & rust, and cooling. All 27 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.
How much do repairs cost on a Land Rover Discovery?
Most single repairs on the Land Rover Discovery fall between $900–$3,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 27 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Land Rover Discovery?
Yes. A Land Rover Discovery inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.