Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport reliable?
The Discovery Sport doesn't have the best reliabilty record. In What Car?'s reliabilty survery, it finished 10th out of 12 cars in the seven-seater class, with an overall score of 84.1%.
Most of the issues that affect the Discovery Sport are well-known and repairable. While you might be drawn into taking your car to a main dealership to be repaired should it break down, there are plenty of reputable Land Rover specialists around that will be able to solve any issues.
Engine: Reduced engine performance, increased oil consumption and a strong smell of fuel are all signs of oil dilution. It occurs when the DPF injects too much fuel during regen cycles, causing unburned diesel to seep into the sump. This reduces the lubrication inside the engine, which in turn damages key components.DPF systems can also become blocked when regeneration cycles aren’t completed, flagging a red warning light.
Exhaust gas recirculation valves can get blocked by carbon deposits, which cause excessive smoke and a loss of power. Replacements are expensive.
Timing chain in the Ingenium diesel engine can stretch, and if left too long it will snap and cause irreparable damage. Listen for rattling and act if necessary.
A siren-like noise or blue smoke from the exhaust could be a sign of turbocharger failure. A replacement can cost between £1500 and £2000.
Gearbox: Any jerkiness from the automatic gearbox, delayed engagement of gears or shuddering at low engine revs could point to an issue with the transmission sensor or its wiring harness.
