Which Land Rover can Last the Longest? The Evoque, Sport, or Defender?

When you think about the cost of your next vehicle, what automatically comes to mind? If you're like many, the upfront purchase price is what you often look at when choosing a new car. After all, purchasing a new car takes a significant chunk of cash from your wallet, so it should be the most important expense to consider, right?

Wrong.

Let's say you purchase a 2013 Range Rover Sport. The initial cost of your investment can be as high as £45,432, depending on the bells and whistles you ask for. Over the next five years, the cost of ownership could be as much as £44,123. This cost is due to a number of factors, including loss of value, fuel cost, financing, insurance, fees and taxes, and repairs. Because you're likely to put as much into your car in the next five years as you initially pay for it, it's important to consider the vehicle you're choosing and whether it is the best long-term option for you.

While you can't control value of the car you pick or the cost of insurance, if you're interested in purchasing a Land Rover, careful consideration of the repairs you'll need to make can determine the amount you spend on your Land Rover during its lifetime and how long it will last.

The Life of Your Land Rover: Repairs You'll Need

You could spend up to 3% of the total cost of ownership on repairs to Land Rover parts during the next five years, so choosing the best Land Rover now is essential. If you're struggling to decide between the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Defender, or Land Rover Evoque, we have the info you'll need to make an informed decision.

Problems to Expect With the Land Rover Evoque

If luxury SUVs were children on a playground, the Evoque would be the child that hides under the slide and plays by itself. But, just because it's a little different doesn't make it bad. In fact, just the opposite. Fitted with a terrain response system, all-wheel drive, and a turbocharged engine that is responsive and efficient, this small crossover is one of the most efficient and capable SUVs on the market.

It's style isn't anything to sneer at either. While the designers went for a two-door style, rather than the normal four-door configuration, the look works for the Evoque. The downside is that having only one door on each side of the utility vehicle can be a bit less functional. A four-door 'design theme' is available however for those who need the additional entry space.

While the Evoque may look good, does it offer the reliability you need to keep the cost of ownership down and ensure that it lasts for as long as possible? Let's take a look at some common Land Rover Evoque parts you may have to repair or replace if you purchase this model.

• Malfunctioning Warning Lights- Some Evoque owners have found that the warning lights on their dashboard illuminate for no reason. The low coolant warning may appear on the instrument panel, but when the owner checks the coolant, it is at the appropriate level. In cases where the indicated Land Rover parts are still functioning correctly, this issue is most often the result of a faulty sensor.

• Gearbox Issues- Gearbox issues in automatic Evoques are a common problem many drivers experience. The causes can vary greatly and can be the result of faulty actuators, problems with the gearbox itself, and even software problems.

• Flywheel Failure- On Evoques that have stop/start technology, flywheel failure is an issue that is commonly found. The flywheel is prone to wearing down prematurely. The first signs of this are generally noticed when pushing the clutch, as excessive vibration can often be felt. The flywheel will have to be replaced in order to fix the problem.

In general, Land Rover parts on the Evoque are solid and reliable. If you maintain them well and take care of common problems as they occur, the Evoque should last for quite a long time.

Problems to Expect With the Range Rover Sport

The Range Rover Sport is a type of premium SUV that has made a name for itself in the luxury world. While other models in the Land Rover line have made an effort to provide drivers with the combination of high end amenities and off-road capability, the Sport focuses on performance. It's designed to be the best option for off-road, without sacrificing its ability to take your entire family to church on Sunday.

While its name may be deceiving, the Range Rover Sport is actually a shortened and modified version of the LR3. It's a luxurious and enjoyable car, but it isn't always the best purchase for those who are looking for the best on-road performance. These shoppers would be better served choosing a different Land Rover with better handling and acceleration.

This model does offer a few perks that make it well worth the purchase, including an updated cab design with supple leathers, top-of-the-line materials, and wood trim. It also has a terrain response system and five different settings so that the driver can adjust the response of the throttle.

Despite its benefits, it's important to be realistic when purchasing this vehicle. Keeping it maintained is essential to ensuring it has a long life, and there are a few common problems you may have to take care of along the way.

• Electronic Handbrake Issues- This issue is generally noticed when a squealing noise is heard when releasing the handbrake. Unfortunately, the handbrake can't be repaired, so it will need to be replaced entirely.

• Acceleration Hesitation- A lack of acceleration is a common issue Sport drivers experience, and it is often caused by a clogged EGR valve. Carbon clogs the valve, leading to hesitation as well as a noticeable lack of power in acceleration. The vehicle may sputter and hesitate when pulling away and may become erratic when idling. To fix this, the EGR valve must be cleaned with a proper carbon cleaner.

• Suspension Issues- The most common Range Sport parts responsible for suspension problems are the anti-roll bar brushes. When these are faulty, drivers will notice a squeaking or rubbing sound coming from the car. These Land Rover parts must be replaced in order to resolve the issue.

Problems to Expect With the Land Rover Defender

When it comes to the Defender, Land Rover has improved greatly over the years. Since this model began production in 1983, it has grown to become one of the most popular Land Rover vehicles. A recent 2007 version provided why: it was well built and was extremely capable of doing its job off-road. Land Rover had also gone the distance when it cam to improving the Defender's performance and updating its design to be more modern and sleek.

If you're looking for the best of the best when it comes to off-road, the Defender doesn't disappoint. But, it offers much more as well, including a strong resale value and plenty of boot space. It's so durable and large, it's almost like a van, and you'll be able to store and haul almost anything inside it. Of course, not every part of it is good. No matter what model year you buy, you're going to pay for it: in annual road tax and at the pump. It has a mid 20mpg range and the most expensive yearly road tax you can get.

In addition to these costs, you'll also need to consider the cost of replacement Landrover parts.

• Failing Bump Stops- The rear axles has two rubber bump stops that are rather large and positioned on both sides. These are prone to cracking, and once they have they will need to be replaced.

• Windscreen Wipers- For many who purchase the Defender, Land Rover made one rather annoying mistake when releasing this model: the windscreen wipers. The wipers tend to come loose from their spindles, keeping them from working correctly and returning to their original position. This can be fixed by tightening the connexion between the two, but must be done as quickly as possible to avoid damage to the wiper mechanism or motor.

• Start Motor Failings- Some Land Rover Defender buyers have trouble with their cars not wanting to start; this is often caused by the starter motor. Water is known to leak into the solenoid as a result of a faulty seal. To fix this problem, an entirely new starter motor will be needed.

Which One Will Last?

Choosing the Land Rover that will last you for years depends on a number of factors.

• How much will it cost to maintain?

• Will you be able to take care of common problems as they occur?

• Will you perform regular maintenance on the vehicle to keep it in the best condition possible?

Your effort, and the amount you're willing to spend on replacement Euro car parts will play a large role in how long you're able to drive your Land Rover. Think carefully about the common issues each model has and the amount of money you're likely to spend before you make a decision to purchase a new car.