Disco2 MOT Advisory Advice

[GeordieRanger]

Hi I am in process of looking to buy a 52 plate Disco2 and on checking the MOT history online I note the vehicle recently failed on Fuel System Component Leaking (7.2.3) **dangerous** & offside rear brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e). There are advisorids for:
N/S brake hose corrosion
N/S & O/S sills have plastic covers so unable to fully inspect nuts & studs
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in engine bay
Rear Diff Oil leak

Now the vehicle has passed it's MOT by replacing the fuel lines and both brake hoses but the advisory remains on Rear Diff oil leak, engine covers & unchecked sills. I'm concerned about these items and wanted to know what you think I should do and what sort of costs are involved in fixing the rear diff oil leak?
The vehicle has 100k on the clock and runs well on test drive. Is it normal to hear whiring noise from below gearbox whilst engine warms up? Sounded like 4x4 axel rotating but seemed to disappear after warm up.
I will be buying mainly to tow a caravan and just want to make the right decision on buying based on the information I have. Good service history for last 3 services from independent dealer. Should I phone and enquire about the rear diff oil leak and potential repair costs?

Really appreciate your feedback by Wednesday morning.

 

[otherclive]

Try a good independent land rover specialist. They should be able to give a sensible order of cost. If its just a gasket gone then it should not be too expensive a job. Good news is Disco2 parts are not expensive. The D2 had poor corrosion protection so it may be worth having the underbody looked at cleaned and waxoyl or dinitrol treated. My Pajero cost £200 for full underbody and chassis rails plus clear protectant in doors bonnet and cavities. Most cities have a treatment garage but the waxoyl centres quoted over £500.

 

[NigelHutson]

I'm not sure that I'd trust the MOT tester to be honest. To give a advisory for engine covers fitted sounds absurd! Most cars have them these days, so do they give advisories to any vehicle that has them?

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm not sure that I'd trust the MOT tester to be honest. To give a advisory for engine covers fitted sounds absurd! Most cars have them these days, so do they give advisories to any vehicle that has them?

As far as I am aware, if a componet that is scheduled to be inspected on an MOT is obscured such that it needs the removal of parts or covers to inspect, VOSA will not allow the inspector to remove the parts as they could be liable for any damage loss or failure resulting from the action of the inspector. And time for such removals is not scheduled within the test process.

I suggest an appropriate course of action for Geordie would be to get an independant engineer (RAC OR AA for example) to look over the car and issue a condition report, with particular attention to the axle noise and the MOT advisories..

 

[NigelHutson]

I am aware of the MOT "rules", but if the vehicle is in standard form, then it shows the flaws in the system. It would be interesting to know what components couldn't be inspected because of the engine cover. Part of the test is battery security, and yet despite many vehicles now having the batteries concealed either in the engine bay, or is some cases in the boot, I've never heard of an "advisory" being given because the security couldn't be checked for this reason. Again, if the vehicle was standard, it sounds like a lazy tester to me, as there's usually a way of seeing things in and around an engine bay (especially in the Discovery 2).
I quite agree with regards to the independent inspection though, or as it seems that there may be issues, I'd be inclined to look at another. It's not as though there's a shortage.

 

[GeordieRanger]

Thanks for feedback. I don't think AA & RAC are offering inspection service on 4x4's currently hence I called the independent Land Rovet service company who have maintained the vehicle for last 3 years. Manager informs me that they carried out the repairs recently and although they offer an inspection service in this case they say it is not necessary as the vehicle is a good example. I guess you ha e to trust someone in this process and as the wife says "it's 11 years old, it's not new, you have to expect some repairs and the service records, receipts and feedback from garage all indicate its a fairly safe buy - so get on with it!!"

i've budgeted £750 in first year to get priority items remedied like the advisory on the rear diff so would hope to have a reliable tow without great expense. I could have bought a much newer vehicle but the catch 22 is the significant depreciation over 3 years. Pro's and cons either way but instinct tells me the disco will serve me well and it's iconic!!
i'll get the diff looked at after purchase and will update you on outcome.... Fingers crossed

 

[NigelHutson]

If you're happy that's the main thing. I would go with what the Indy says rather than the what the MOT tester said then. It sound like they were having to find something that day, judging by the "unable to check" bits; engine cover, sill nuts and bolts! It may be that the leak on the diff is very minor and doesn't need urgent attention anyway.
There are plenty of parts suppliers for the D2 without the need for Main Dealers, so hopefully maintenance shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Enjoy! - but get someone who knows what they're doing to do next year's MOT.