Models · Land Rover
Land Rover Discovery 2 buying guide
The second Discovery, launched in 1998 with the five-cylinder Td5 diesel or the 4.0 V8 petrol, a steel chassis and optional rear self-levelling air suspension and ACE anti-roll control.
The versions
- Td5 five-cylinder turbodiesel
- 4.0 V8 petrol (4.0i)
- Manual or automatic gearbox
- Rear self-levelling air suspension (coil springs at the front) and Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE) on some versions
What to check on a Discovery 2
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Rear chassis rust
What to look for: Get underneath with a torch and look at the back half of the chassis, especially the rear chassis legs, then at the steel brake pipes along the chassis.
Why it matters: The steel chassis rots, worst at the rear, with the rear chassis legs the usual spot. Repairs are possible, and a solid rear chassis is the sign of a car that's been looked after. Corroded brake pipes are common too and need replacing.
Td5 cylinder head and fuel in the oil
What to look for: Check the dipstick: a level above the maximum, or a smell of diesel, suggests fuel in the oil. Look at the coolant expansion tank for leaks or signs of overheating, and check the engine runs smoothly.
Why it matters: A failed cylinder head is often the cause of trouble on the Td5 and can be serious enough to write a car off, so check the coolant tank for leaks and that the engine runs smoothly. A fuel smell on the dipstick can come from failed injector seals, which is a much smaller job.
V8 overheating
What to look for: On a V8, run the engine to full temperature and watch that the gauge stays steady. Look for coolant loss and white smoke, and smell the dipstick for fuel.
Why it matters: V8 overheating can come from a failed head gasket or, worse, cylinder liner problems, which are usually uneconomic to repair. A fuel smell on the dipstick can point to failed injector seals.
Also in the full guide
- ABS and traction warning lights
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Discovery 2
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
Land Rover Discovery 3 · Land Rover Discovery 4 · Land Rover Discovery 5
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Land Rover.