Models · Land Rover
Range Rover Evoque L538 buying guide
The first Evoque, sold from 2011 to 2018 as a five-door, three-door coupé and, from 2017, a convertible. Most UK cars are diesels, with the older 2.2 replaced by Ingenium 2.0 engines in the 2015 facelift.
The versions
- 2.2 diesel from 2011 to 2015, in eD4, TD4 and SD4 forms
- Ingenium 2.0 diesel from 2015: eD4 (148bhp, front-wheel drive, manual), TD4 (178bhp) and SD4, both four-wheel drive
- 2.0 Si4 turbocharged petrol (237bhp), automatic only
- Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic until autumn 2013, then a nine-speed automatic
- Five-door, three-door coupé, and convertible from 2017
What to check on a L538 Evoque
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Automatic gearbox behaviour
What to look for: On the drive, include some slow town driving as well as faster roads. Note harsh or jerky changes, hunting between gears at low speed, hesitation pulling away, or any gearbox warning on the dashboard.
Why it matters: Automatic gearbox problems are fairly common on this Evoque, ranging from software faults that a dealer update can fix to actuator or gearbox failures. The nine-speed fitted from autumn 2013 can feel jerky around town even when healthy, so a car with up-to-date software is the one to look for.
Clonks from the suspension
What to look for: On the drive, go slowly over speed bumps and rough surfaces with the radio off and listen for clonks from the front or the rear.
Why it matters: Clonks over bumps are a known complaint on the first Evoque. Separately, 323 cars built from March to August 2016 were recalled because a front lower control arm bolt could loosen, so check that work has been done on cars from that period.
Clutch pedal vibration on stop/start manuals
What to look for: On a manual with stop/start, rest your foot on the clutch pedal at idle and as you pull away, and feel for vibration through the pedal. Note any judder as the clutch takes up.
Why it matters: On models with stop/start the flywheel can wear early, and vibration through the clutch pedal is the likely symptom. Replacing it is usually done with the clutch, so invoices showing both are a plus.
Also in the full guide
- Fuel smell and the fuel rail recalls
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the L538 Evoque
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.
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.