Credov's researched list of the 8 faults the Land Rover Range Rover Sport is known for (2010–2013), 8 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Before the car is started, walk around and check all four corners sit level, with none sitting low.
Why it matters: Leaks are often chased one part at a time, so a car with one air suspension fault commonly has more than one worn part, and this is the single most frequently reported issue on this model according to owner forum records.
What to look for: Listen at idle and under load for a deep knock, and ask whether the oil pressure warning has ever come on.
Why it matters: Mechanics report that failed engines are usually found to have been run low on oil, with fuel-diluted oil and short trips contributing, and a snapped crankshaft generally means a replacement engine rather than a repair, at a cost that can exceed much of the car's value.
What to look for: Ask for the timing belt invoice and check whether it names a new or later-design oil pump.
Why it matters: A cracked housing can let the timing belt go slack and wreck the engine, and because the failure is often triggered by a routine belt change rather than age alone, a seemingly well-maintained car is not automatically safe from this fault.
What to look for: Check the oil is at full and not smelling of diesel, and listen for a knock at idle or under load.
Why it matters: A snapped crankshaft on this engine generally means a replacement engine, and one owner was quoted around £7,500 for the engine alone plus fitting, so this check protects against one of the largest repair bills possible on this model.
What to look for: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle or ticking from the front of the engine in the first seconds.
Why it matters: A chain that jumps rather than just stretches can wreck this V8 entirely, and because Land Rover covered some cases under warranty on affected VINs, confirming whether this car's tensioners were ever upgraded is worth doing before you buy.
What to look for: View the car cold for level ride height on all corners, then run it through access and off-road heights.
Why it matters: Some faults are resolved by a software update alone, but a worn compressor or leaking strut is a genuine parts-and-labour repair, so distinguishing the two before buying can save an unnecessary bill or confirm a real one.
What to look for: Feel all carpets and the boot floor for damp, and look for water stains on the headlining near the grab handles.
Why it matters: Water reaching electronic modules under the carpets can cause expensive and hard-to-trace electrical faults well beyond the cost of the drain repair itself, so catching this early is worth more than the repair kit price might suggest.
What to look for: Check the electronic oil level reading is full, and listen for a knock at idle and under load.
Why it matters: A snapped crankshaft on this engine means a replacement engine costing well over £7,500 before fitting in documented cases, and because failures are reported across a wide range of kilometres, high mileage alone is not a reliable guide to risk here.
Got a question about a Land Rover Range Rover Sport? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.