Land Rover Discovery Sport

Compact SUV (5 or optional 5+2 seven-seat layout) · 2015 to present

The Land Rover Discovery Sport arrived in the UK in 2015 as the replacement for the Freelander, slotting in as the brand's compact SUV beneath the larger Discovery. It has remained in continuous production since, with a facelift in 2019 bringing revised styling, updated interior technology and the option of a seven-seat layout. Power has come from 2.0 litre Ingenium diesel and petrol engines in various outputs, alongside a plug-in hybrid P300e variant introduced for buyers wanting lower CO2 figures and short electric-only running. Trim levels span from S through SE, HSE and R-Dynamic variants, with permanent four-wheel drive standard across most of the range. It competes with rivals such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, offering genuine off-road ability alongside everyday usability, making it a popular choice on the UK used market for families wanting SUV practicality with Land Rover badge appeal.

Body type

Compact SUV (5 or optional 5+2 seven-seat layout)

Years (UK)

2015 to present

Typical engine

2.0 litre Ingenium four-cylinder diesel or petrol, with a 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol/electric plug-in hybrid (P300e) option

Fuels available

3 options

Fuel and powertrain options

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is sold in the UK with the following powertrain options across its current and recent model years:

Petrol Diesel Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

Things to check at MOT

Below are common inspection items that owners and technicians often pay attention to on the Land Rover Discovery Sport. These align with standard DVSA MOT criteria. Every individual vehicle is different, and the MOT history of a specific car can be checked on gov.uk using its registration plate.

Diesel particulate filter condition and warning lights on diesel-engined models
Timing chain and tensioner noise on early Ingenium petrol and diesel units
Electronic parking brake operation and warning indicators
Front and rear suspension bushes, wishbones and driveshaft gaiters for wear or splits
Corrosion around the rear subframe, exhaust mounts and underbody due to age and mileage

Frequently asked questions

What is a common fault to watch for on a used Discovery Sport?

Early Ingenium diesel and petrol engines have been known to suffer timing chain or tensioner wear, which can cause rattling noises on start-up. It is worth listening for this on a test drive and checking service history for any related work.

Does the Discovery Sport need a specific MOT check for emissions?

Diesel versions fitted with a particulate filter are checked closely for smoke and emissions during the MOT. Any warning light related to the DPF should be investigated before the test, as it can lead to a failure.

How can I check the MOT history of a Discovery Sport before buying?

You can use the free DVSA MOT history checker on gov.uk, which shows past test results, advisories and mileage recorded at each test, giving a useful picture of the car's condition over time.

Is the plug-in hybrid Discovery Sport common in the UK?

The P300e plug-in hybrid was introduced after the main launch and is less common than the diesel and petrol versions, but it does appear on the used market, particularly among company car buyers taking advantage of its lower emissions.

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