The Land Rover owner's guide to knowing your car.
Repair guides by model, known issues explained without dealer pricing shock, service interval breakdowns, and local repair referrals — focused entirely on Land Rover and Range Rover. If you drive one in Simi Valley, this is built for you.
Everything Land Rover. Nothing Else.
We cover the full Land Rover lineup — from the Discovery and Defender to every generation of the Range Rover. Every section is built around the questions Land Rover owners actually search for.
Range Rover, Sport, Discovery, Defender & Freelander
Generation-by-generation breakdowns: what each model is known for, which years to avoid, what high-mileage ownership looks like in Simi Valley's climate.
Browse Models →Air Suspension, ZF Transmission, Sunroof Drain Failures
The recurring problems across every Land Rover platform, explained clearly — including what a real fix costs versus a dealer invoice surprise.
See Known Issues →What Every Land Rover Needs — and When
Air suspension service windows, transfer case and differential fluid intervals, Terrain Response system service, and oil specs that actually protect these engines.
View Service Info →Buying Guides, Warranty Rights, Cost Comparisons
What to look for buying a used Range Rover, how to evaluate service history, and your rights when the dealer tries to void your warranty.
Read Guides →Repair Write-Ups, Ownership Realities, Tech Explainers
Regular posts on Land Rover topics: which years represent value, what TSBs mean for your car, and realistic annual ownership cost estimates.
Read Posts →Ready to Book? Find Land Rover Service Near You
Simi Valley's dedicated European auto repair shop — factory-grade diagnostics, OEM-spec parts, honest pricing. 15 years working on Land Rover vehicles.
Schedule Service →Land Rover Known Problems — Explained
Every Land Rover platform has its patterns. These are the issues that show up across the Range Rover, Sport, Discovery, and Defender — in forums, in repair shops, and in expensive conversations with dealers.
Air Suspension Compressor and Strut Failure — Range Rover L322, L405, Sport L320/L494
Land Rover's Electronic Air Suspension is standard equipment on Range Rover variants and optional on Discovery and Sport models. The failure pattern is nearly identical to Mercedes AIRMATIC: air struts develop leaks first (typically 70,000–100,000 miles on L322 and L320), the compressor runs overtime to compensate, and eventually fails under the load. The L322 Range Rover has the worst failure rate of the group. Replacing one strut without inspecting the others and the compressor is the most common way Land Rover owners end up doing the job twice. How to diagnose which component failed first, the cost comparison between full restoration and coilover conversion, and why compressor replacement almost always needs to accompany strut replacement. Read the guide →
ZF 6HP and 8HP Transmission Failures — Range Rover, Discovery 4, Sport
Land Rover uses ZF-sourced 6-speed and 8-speed automatic transmissions across most of their lineup. These are excellent transmissions that fail predictably when their fluid is never changed — and ZF calls them "lifetime fill," which Land Rover doesn't argue with. In practice, fluid and filter service every 50,000 miles prevents the valve body wear and solenoid failures that generate harsh shifting, slipping, and fault codes. How to tell ZF fluid degradation from actual transmission failure, what the service involves, and why valve body replacement is often the repair when service is delayed too long. Read the guide →
Sunroof Drain Blockage and Water Intrusion — L322 Range Rover and Discovery 3/4
Blocked sunroof drain channels are among the most consistently destructive and preventable failures on L322 Range Rovers and Discovery 3/4 models. When drains block, water pools in the headliner, eventually reaching the rear SAM module, BCM, and interior electronics — causing cascading electrical faults that look like multiple unrelated failures. The cause is almost always drain clog from debris and compacted dirt. How to locate and clear the drains before they cause damage, what to inspect when buying a used example, and what it costs to repair a vehicle that has already had significant water intrusion. Read the guide →
3.0 SDV6 and TDV6 Diesel Oil Cooler and EGR Failures — Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport L320
The 3.0 TDV6 and SDV6 diesel engines used in Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport L320 have documented EGR cooler and oil cooler failures. When the EGR cooler leaks internally, coolant enters the EGR circuit and from there can enter the intake manifold and cylinders. An oil cooler failure puts coolant in the oil system. Both are engine-threatening. The symptoms can appear slowly — white smoke from a cold start, coolant consumption without visible leaks, and fluctuating oil temperature. How to identify these failures early and what the repair path looks like. Read the guide →
Transfer Case and Differential Seal Failures — All Land Rover Platforms
Land Rover's permanent 4WD systems require regular transfer case, front differential, and rear differential fluid service that most owners and many shops skip. Degraded fluid leads to seal failure, and seal failure leads to fluid loss, and fluid loss leads to component failure in a sequence that can run $3,000–$8,000 to repair depending on what's damaged. This is a maintenance failure, not a design failure. What the correct service intervals are, what the service involves, and how to inspect for early-stage seal weeping before it becomes a leak. Read the guide →
Find Your Land Rover
Every model page covers the full generational history: what changed between platforms, which years to prefer, known weak points, and what to inspect thoroughly on any used example.
Range Rover (L322, L405)
L322 (2003–2012): BMW-sourced engine on early cars, Jaguar V8 on later. Air suspension is universal and problematic. L405 (2013–2021): significantly improved reliability profile. L460 (2022+): current generation. Generation comparison and ownership cost guide.
Range Rover Guide →Range Rover Sport (L320, L494)
L320 (2005–2013): shares L322 air suspension issues. Supercharged V8 is robust but fuel-hungry. L494 (2014–2022): substantially more reliable. 3.0 supercharged V6 is the sweet spot. What each generation means for maintenance cost and reliability.
Range Rover Sport Guide →Range Rover Velar
L560 (2018+). Built on the Jaguar F-Pace platform. Ingenium 2.0T inline-four is Land Rover's most reliable modern powerplant. Touch Pro Duo infotainment system has known software issues. A younger, more urban Range Rover with a different failure profile than traditional models.
Velar Model Guide →Range Rover Evoque
L538 (2012–2018), L551 (2019+). The entry Range Rover. 2.0T Ingenium engine is the more reliable option. 9-speed ZF transmission service is the primary maintenance item most owners skip. One of Land Rover's more reliable platforms overall.
Evoque Model Guide →Discovery (L319, L462)
Discovery 4 / LR4 (2010–2016): TDV6 EGR concern, air suspension on higher trims. Discovery 5 (2017+): Ingenium engines, improved electronics. Both generations have sunroof drain issues. The Discovery is the most capable off-roader in the lineup for its price point.
Discovery Model Guide →Discovery Sport
L550 (2015+). Replaced the Freelander. Ingenium 2.0T four-cylinder. More reliable than older Land Rover platforms. 9-speed ZF transmission service is the key maintenance interval. What compact Land Rover ownership looks like in the real world.
Discovery Sport Guide →Defender (L663)
New-generation Defender (2020+). Completely new platform, Ingenium engines, air suspension standard on most trims. Early production software issues largely resolved by 2022. What modern Defender ownership involves — and how it differs from the old Defender's maintenance character.
Defender Model Guide →Classic Defender (1983–2016)
90, 110, and 130 body styles. The original. Tdi and Td5 diesel engines have well-documented maintenance profiles. What running a classic Defender in Southern California actually involves, common rust and seal issues, and where to source parts.
Classic Defender Guide →What Your Land Rover Actually Needs — and When
Land Rover ownership has a well-earned reputation for expense. Most of that expense is preventable with correct service intervals. The items dealers skip, the fluids that actually need changing, and what your maintenance dollar is protecting.
Air Suspension Service & Inspection
Air suspension should be inspected at every service interval on equipped Land Rovers. Strut condition, compressor cycling time, valve block function, and corner height calibration. Catching a slow strut leak early — before the compressor runs itself to failure — saves $800–$1,500. What the inspection involves and what warning signs look like.
Air Suspension Guide →ZF Transmission Fluid Service
Despite Land Rover's "lifetime fill" labeling, ZF transmission fluid should be changed every 50,000 miles on 6HP and 8HP gearboxes. The service requires a specific fluid at operating temperature and filter replacement. What the correct procedure involves and what shops get wrong when they attempt it with generic ATF.
Transmission Service Guide →Transfer Case & Differential Service
Land Rover's permanent AWD system has three fluid services: transfer case, front differential, rear differential. All three should be serviced every 50,000–60,000 miles. Skipping any one of them leads to seal failure in that unit. What each service involves, what fluids are specified, and how to check for early-stage seal weeping.
Transfer Case Guide →Engine Oil Service — Spec and Interval
Land Rover specifies 0W-20 or 0W-30 for Ingenium four-cylinder engines and 5W-30 for older V6 and V8 applications. Annual oil changes at a minimum; every 7,500 miles for mixed driving. What the correct spec means for each engine family and why non-spec oils cause faster timing chain wear on Ingenium engines.
Oil Service Guide →Sunroof Drain Cleaning
Sunroof drain channels on L322, Discovery 3/4, and early Sport models should be flushed at every annual service. This takes 15 minutes and prevents the most expensive water intrusion failures Land Rover owners face. What the drain routing looks like, how to flush them, and what early-stage blockage looks like before water reaches the electronics.
Drain Cleaning Guide →Brake Service — Range Rover and Sport
Brake fluid replacement every 2 years is critical on heavier Land Rover models — moisture absorption in the fluid affects pedal feel and ABS performance under heavy braking. Pad and rotor service intervals depend heavily on driving style. What the complete brake service involves for each model, and what to watch for on vehicles with electronic parking brake systems.
Brake Service Guide →From the Blog
Technical write-ups, ownership cost breakdowns, and Land Rover-specific analysis — written for owners who want to stay ahead of the repair curve.
L322 Range Rover Air Suspension: Full Restoration vs. Coilover Conversion — What the Math Actually Looks Like
Full air suspension restoration on an L322 runs $3,000–$5,000 when done correctly. Coilover conversion runs $1,500–$2,500 and eliminates the failure mode permanently. The trade-off is ride character and the Terrain Response integration. What each option involves and how to decide.
Read PostUsed Range Rover Sport Buyer's Guide: L320 vs. L494 — The Reliability Gap Is Real and Worth the Price
The L320 is cheaper, more characterful, and more expensive to own. The L494 costs more used and substantially less to maintain. How to evaluate either generation on condition, what the service history should show, and what a pre-purchase inspection should specifically cover.
Read PostWhy Every Land Rover With a Sunroof Needs Its Drains Flushed Every Year — Before It Becomes a $4,000 Problem
Water intrusion from blocked sunroof drains destroys electronics on L322s and Discovery 3/4s on a predictable timeline. The prevention is 15 minutes of labor. The repair, once water reaches the modules, is expensive and time-consuming. What the drain routing looks like and how to prevent the problem entirely.
Read PostLand Rover Owner FAQ
Is a Land Rover really as unreliable as its reputation suggests?
Land Rover's reliability reputation is partially deserved and heavily influenced by ownership patterns. Most Land Rover failures are maintenance failures — deferred service on air suspension, transmission fluid that's never been changed, sunroof drains that have never been cleaned. Well-maintained Land Rovers with correct service history are genuinely capable, comfortable vehicles. The problem is that "well-maintained" on a Land Rover requires more attention and expense than most owners expect when they buy one. If you're willing to commit to the service schedule and budget for it, the ownership experience is very different from the horror stories you'll read in forums.
How do I know if a used Range Rover has had its air suspension serviced properly?
Ask for documentation of any suspension work — compressor replacement, strut replacement, valve block service. On an L322 or L320 past 80,000 miles, any car without suspension service documentation should be treated as if it has deferred maintenance on this system. Have an independent shop put the car on a lift and run a suspension diagnostic. Corner height and compressor run time data tells you the current condition. A car that sits low overnight, or whose compressor runs for more than a few seconds to maintain height, has an active leak somewhere in the system.
What's the difference between the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport?
The full-size Range Rover (L322, L405, L460) rides on a dedicated platform, has a longer wheelbase, and represents the flagship model. It's larger, more luxurious, and more expensive to buy and service. The Range Rover Sport (L320, L494) uses a modified Discovery platform and is shorter, slightly lower, and more driving-focused. The Sport is also somewhat less expensive in the used market. Both have air suspension as standard equipment. For Simi Valley daily driving, the Sport is the more practical choice; the full Range Rover makes more sense as a statement vehicle or for long-distance comfort.
Can I service my Land Rover at an independent shop without voiding my warranty?
Yes. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects your right to use independent shops for service without voiding factory warranty coverage, provided the work is done correctly with appropriate parts and fluids meeting Land Rover specifications. Keep all service documentation. Land Rover dealers cannot make warranty coverage conditional on using their service department for routine maintenance. For vehicles still under factory warranty, confirm your shop is using Land Rover-approved fluids and parts to avoid any disputes.
What's the most important thing to check when buying a used Land Rover?
Air suspension condition, if equipped. Check whether all four corners sit at the correct height, whether the car drops overnight, and whether the compressor sounds strained. After that: transmission fluid service history (ask specifically — ZF transmissions suffer without it), sunroof drain condition on L322 and Discovery 3/4 models, and a full module scan for stored fault codes. Any used Land Rover purchase without an independent pre-purchase inspection is a significant risk. The cost of the inspection ($200–$400) is trivial compared to what a single overlooked issue can cost.
Ready to book your Land Rover service in Simi Valley?
We've covered the research. When you're ready for the actual work — air suspension, ZF service, diagnostics, or an honest pre-purchase inspection — we refer Simi Valley Land Rover owners to the shop we trust.
Service provided by German Auto Doctor · 521 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley CA 93065 · Mon–Fri 8–6, Sat 9–2