Models · Land Rover
Land Rover Range Rover Sport L494 buying guide
The second-generation Range Rover Sport, revealed in spring 2013, mostly with 3.0 V6 diesels plus supercharged petrol engines. A 2019 update brought new D250, D300 and D350 diesels and a P400 straight-six petrol.
The versions
- 3.0 TDV6 diesel (258hp) and 3.0 SDV6 diesel (288hp and 306hp)
- 3.0 supercharged V6 petrol (340hp), replaced in 2019 by the P400 turbocharged straight six (400hp)
- 5.0 supercharged V8 petrol
- From 2019: D250, D300 and D350 diesels; the SDV6 hybrid isn't covered here, and the SVR has its own page
- Trims: HSE, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography Dynamic and SVR
What to check on a L494 Range Rover Sport
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
TDV6 crankshaft and oil
What to look for: On a 3.0 TDV6, listen for knocking from the engine, check the oil level and condition, and look for regular oil changes and the cambelt history. On the drive, note any loss of power.
Why it matters: Some TDV6 engines have suffered broken crankshafts, and oil starvation remained an issue after improvements, so a full, on-time oil history is essential. Power loss can come from a vacuum leak, a failed airflow sensor or the catalytic converter, and diesel particulate filters can block on cars used for short trips.
Air suspension and front knocks
What to look for: Check the car sits level with no suspension warning light, and raise and lower it through its heights. Drive slowly over bumps and listen for knocking from the front.
Why it matters: A lopsided stance with a warning light means an air suspension fault. Low-speed knocking at the front often points to worn lower arm bushes. A whine at a steady speed can be low front differential fluid, which should be changed every 40,000 miles.
Electronic parking brake
What to look for: Apply and release the parking brake several times and check it releases fully. Look at the rear discs for scoring or a lip.
Why it matters: The actuator can fail to release, which wrecks the discs. Battery drain is also common on this generation and causes all sorts of electrical oddities, so a healthy battery is worth checking.
Also in the full guide
- Recall work and water leaks
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the L494 Range Rover Sport
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
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.