Item: Used Land Rover Range Rover 2002 - 2013
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

This third-generation Range Rover was developed while Land Rover was under <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> ownership, but the brand was sold on before it went on sale, with BMW instead concentrating on sales of its own luxury SUV, the X5. Unlike the Range Rover, the X5 majors on fun handling rather than ride comfort, but it’s a practical and classy alternative.

Then again, if practicality is your main priority, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a> could be a better choice, because it offers seven seats and is a relaxing long-distance cruiser. It doesn’t have the off-road ability of the Range Rover, while its diesel engines and interior feel dated, but there are lots of XC90s on the used market, some at very tempting prices.

The Lexus RX is also worth considering, despite having numb steering. It’s available as a petrol-electric hybrid, is incredibly well equipped and probably has the best reliability record of any SUV on sale.

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

One of the most common problems with the Range Rover is front differential failure. This is down to the propshaft coupling wearing and leaves the car with no drive to the front wheels. Many cars will have had this fixed under warranty, but check the service history to be sure.

The standard air suspension can also suffer failures, with the compressor most often the cause. There are three settings to choose from, so you should check that the car responds when you switch between these and that it stays at the chosen height when parked – this will show if there are any leaks in the system.

All Range Rovers have automatic gearboxes, which are generally very robust, although there have been a few reports of premature failures.

The rear hub bushes can wear, something that reveals itself through a clonking noise over bumps. Also, cars with 20in wheels or bigger are more prone to suspension wear.

According to data from CAP Derwent, which pools repair information from some of the UK’s biggest vehicle leasing firms, the Range Rover typically needs new brake pads every 30,000 miles – 5000 miles earlier than the average luxury SUV.

However, it’s usually more than 100,000 miles before the air conditioning needs re-gassing. Serviceable items such as bulbs, fuel filters, pollen filters and brake fluid are all long lasting, too.

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Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER

The Range Rover is the world’s finest go-anywhere limousine, but even used examples don't come cheap.

Used Land Rover Range Rover 2002 - 2013

Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you can run a Range Rover on a tight budget. If the purchase price is going to stretch you, you’re really going to struggle, because the running costs are steep as well.

The only solace is that a well cared for example with a decent spec will hold its value well, so you’ll resell it quickly for a good price.

Service costs are pretty hefty because this is a complex bit of kit, and you shouldn’t skimp on looking after: that would be a false economy. Expect to spend a little less on servicing than you would with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a>, but more than with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/rx/4x4/review/n137">Lexus RX</a>.

Insurance won’t be cheap, and fuel economy mpg figures will be in the high-20s at best for diesels and high-teens for V8 petrols.

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The Range Rover is the world’s finest go-anywhere limousine, but even used examples don't come cheap.

Prices start at about £4500 for early cars that have covered huge miles, but these are quite literally likely to be more trouble than they’re worth.

You’ll need to up your budget to about £13,000 to get our favourite engine, the SDV8, while the newest examples, built in 2013, are still likely to set you back by as much as £40,000.

Early cars were available with a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine or a 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel, which can feel a little short of puff on hills.

These were joined by a supercharged 4.2-litre V8 in 2006, while the 4.4 gained an extra 20bhp. However, it’s the TDV8 diesel, introduced in 2007, that’s the pick of the range, offering all the performance you need without the insatiable thirst of the petrols – although it’s still not exactly frugal.

The Range Rover was also given a revised front grille, front bumper and headlight design in 2006, which make it look a bit more chintzy, while from 2007 onwards it came with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/land-rover">Land Rover</a>’s superb Terrain Response system, which lets you optimise the car for different conditions at the twist of a dial.

For the 2008 model year, all Range Rovers received an electronic park brake, more effective four-zone air conditioning and the option of cooled front seats. There's also a 'climate control' windscreen and side glass, available in conjunction with automatic lights and wipers.

SE, HSE, Vogue, Vogue SE and Autobiography trims are available, with the Vogue striking the best balance between equipment and affordability – and being relatively easy to find, due to its popularity when new.

Our favourite used Range Rover: TDV8 Vogue

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

If you’re going to buy a Range Rover, it's vital that you go for one with a full service history to give yourself some reassurance.

Electronic and software glitches aren’t unknown, often showing up as false warning lights or various bings and bongs. Switching the engine off and on again can sometimes sort this, but if it doesn’t, the fault could well be more serious.

Some earlier models had their rear lights fill with rainwater. They were replaced under warranty, but it's always worth checking for this.

Other than that, check for off-road damage. The Range Rover can tackle very tough terrain, but it isn’t a tank.

You sit high in the Range Rover, looking down on everyone bar HGV drivers, plus the seats are as comfortable as a favourite armchair and offer lots of adjustment.

There’s also decent space for five, and the fact that the interior is trimmed with thick slabs of wood and the finest leathers adds to the limousine-like feel.

It’s very <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/luxury">limo</a>-like on the move, too. Whether you choose a petrol or a diesel model, the engines are smooth and quiet – and both the V8 diesel engine and the supercharged V8 petrol are properly quick.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a> will cruise comfortably all day – given sufficient stops for fuel – keeping wind and road noise at bay and offering a relaxing ride. Or you can spend the day exploring the wilderness where most other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/large-suv">4x4s</a> would be completely out of their depth. This is a highly accomplished off-roader, as well as a classy cruiser.

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Used Land Rover Range Rover 2002 - 2013 review

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