Land Rover occupies a segment of its own: premium SUVs, several of which retain genuine off-road capability, with a high level of finish and equipment.
It is also the make where the gap between the used purchase price and the cost of servicing is widest. Fast depreciation brings these cars within reach; their servicing stays upmarket.
The Range Rover Evoque dominates the offer, ahead of the Range Rover Sport and the Discovery Sport. The Range Rover Velar completes the range with a more road-biased positioning.
The Defender is a case apart, sought out for its genuine off-road capability and with a used market of its own.
Most of the fleet has four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox.
Diesel is in the majority, with the low-end torque that weight and towing demand. An automatic gearbox is fitted to almost the entire fleet.
Plug-in hybrid versions turn up on recent generations; they are only worthwhile with regular charging.
This is the make where a complete main-dealer service history counts most. The systems, air suspension, four-wheel drive, management electronics, are numerous and expensive to repair out of warranty.
On a car with air suspension, test the different ride heights during the drive: rebuilding one component costs nothing like a conventional damper.
On a car that has genuinely been off-road, check the underbody, the skid plates, the driveshaft boots and the transfer case.
Set a realistic annual servicing budget before buying: it is the main cause of unpleasant surprises in this segment.
A used Land Rover car suits anyone who genuinely uses four-wheel drive or towing capacity, and accepts a premium servicing budget. For road-only use, a less specialised SUV will cost markedly less to own.
The links below narrow by model, engine or budget.
