Land Rover

Discovery 2 L318 inspection checklist

1998-2004 · 11 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

mediumACE active anti-roll hydraulic faults

Look for: The optional Active Cornering Enhancement (hydraulic anti-roll) develops pump, ram and valve-block leaks and pressure faults, lighting warnings and losing roll control.

If you find it: Repair/replace ACE pump, accumulator or rams and flush the system; some owners convert to fixed anti-roll bars. Inspect for leaks and warnings pre-purchase.

From 150k+ km · ~$500-2500

mediumRear self-levelling air suspension leaks

Look for: Air-sprung models develop airbag, compressor and height-sensor faults, leaving the car sitting low or uneven.

If you find it: Replace airbags/compressor or convert the rear to coil springs (a common, reliable fix in Australia).

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1500

mediumABS / SLABS module and sensor faults

Look for: The self-levelling/ABS (SLABS) module, wheel sensors and traction-control system are a common source of dash warnings and intermittent faults on ageing cars.

If you find it: Diagnose with a Land Rover-capable scan tool; repair or replace the SLABS ECU/sensors as needed.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1500

mediumChassis and body rust (coastal / age)

Look for: Rust appears in the rear chassis crossmember, rear quarters, boot floor and around the rear door on coastal or neglected examples.

If you find it: Thorough underbody inspection pre-purchase; favour dry-climate, well-maintained cars and treat/repair early.

Any · Varies

2 of 3 engines

highCylinder liner slip / block failure

Look for: The aluminium block's steel cylinder liners can drop/slip as the block expands, breaking the head gasket seal, mixing coolant and combustion and overheating - often terminal for the block.

If you find it: Top-hat liner re-sleeve or a rebuilt/replacement block; meticulous cooling-system maintenance to prevent recurrence. Coolant problems on a V8 are a major red flag pre-purchase.

From 150k+ km · ~$3000-8000 (rebuild or replacement block)

2.5L Td5 turbo-diesel

highOil contamination of the engine wiring loom / ECU

Look for: Engine oil wicks along the injector wiring by capillary action and tracks down the loom into the ECU connectors, corroding pins and causing misfires, erratic running and no-starts. Almost every Td5 needs this addressed.

If you find it: Fit a modified/oil-sealed loom or repair the loom and reseal the ECU connector; clean the ECU pins. A well-known, affordable specialist job.

Any (age-related) · ~$300-1200

highHead gasket failure from plastic head dowels (pre-2002)

Look for: Early Td5s used plastic locating dowels between block and head; they allow head movement and head gasket failure, which the Td5 does not survive well if it then overheats.

If you find it: Replace head gasket using steel dowels; ensure cooling system (radiator, viscous fan, thermostat) is fresh. Confirm steel dowels fitted before buying.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3500

highEngine runaway from cracked fuel rail / injector washers

Look for: Failed injector copper washers or a cracked fuel rail in the cylinder head can let fuel pool and the engine run away uncontrollably even with the ignition off - potentially destructive.

If you find it: Replace injector washers/seals as a set; inspect and replace the fuel rail if cracked. Address any blue-smoke or fuelling symptoms immediately.

Any · ~$400-2000

mediumFuel pressure regulator (FPR) leak / no-start

Look for: The FPR diaphragm/seals on the fuel pump-in-tank or filter housing deteriorate, causing fuel leaks, hard starting and loss of prime.

If you find it: Replace the FPR with an updated O-ring kit - cheap and a common DIY fix.

From 100k+ km · ~$150-400

4.0L V8 petrol (Thor)

highHead gasket failure / overheating

Look for: Overheating or liner movement causes head gasket failure; the alloy V8 is unforgiving of any cooling-system neglect.

If you find it: Head gasket replacement with cooling-system overhaul (radiator, viscous fan, thermostat, water pump).

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-3500

4.6L V8 petrol (Thor)

highHead gasket / cooling system failure

Look for: Overheating and liner movement cause head gasket failure on the alloy V8.

If you find it: Head gasket replacement plus full cooling overhaul (radiator, viscous fan, thermostat, water pump).

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-3500

3 minor things (low severity)

lowElectrical gremlins (windows, central locking, wiring)

Look for: Window regulators, central locking, immobiliser and assorted wiring/earth faults are common with age and earn the Disco 2 its electrical reputation.

If you find it: Methodical fault-finding, refresh earths and connectors, replace failed regulators/modules.

Any · ~$100-600

lowDriveline wear - front prop UJs, diffs, swivels

Look for: Front propshaft universal joints, diff/transfer wear and swivel seals wear with km and off-road use.

If you find it: Standard full-time 4WD driveline maintenance; replace UJs and reseal swivels as needed.

From 150k+ km · ~$300-1200

lowFuel thirst

Look for: 16-20 L/100km is normal and worse when towing or loaded; touring range is poor.

If you find it: Accept the fuel cost or fit a quality LPG conversion.

Any · Running cost

From FlamingCars' Land Rover Discovery 2 guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.