Used Range Rover Velar 2017-present reliability
Category: Luxury SUV
The Range Rover Velar is stylish, refined and good value used, but there are more practical, more reliable alternatives
What should I look for in a used Land Rover Range Rover Velar estate?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
A lot of Velars are used in towns and cities because they’re a stylish status symbol, but that means the large alloy wheels (up to 22in on some models) are very susceptible to striking a curb. Make sure there are no massive chunks taken out of them because they’ll cost a fortune to repair.
Despite its big mirrors and standard rear parking sensors, the Velar isn’t the easiest car in the world to park, so check the bumpers and bodywork for dents and scratches.
If the car was ordered with a light-coloured interior, look out for signs of stains or dye that's transferred onto the seats from clothing.
It’s a good idea to have a play around with the touchscreens on the dashboard and make sure they don’t freeze. It might require a simple hard reset (turning the car on and off again) or it may require a trip to the dealership for diagnosis.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Range Rover Velar estate?
There have been a few recalls for the Velar. One relates to petrol engines built between the start of production and 31 January 2018 and says that fuel may leak from the fuel rails in the engine bay, requiring the whole rail to be replaced.
Another recall relates to the air conditioning system. It may not be able to de-mist the windows on Velars produced between 12 April and 17 November 2017.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Land Rover dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Land Rover Range Rover Velar estate reliable?
The Range Rover Velar is not a particularly reliable vehicle, unfortunately.
We didn't have enough examples to feature in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, but in the last one it did feature in, in 2023, the Velar placed 22nd out of 24 cars in the large SUV class. Its somewhat concerning reliability score of 87.0% makes it more reliable than the 2013-2020 Ford Kuga diesel and MG HS, but less reliable than all other featured cars in the class – the Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Macan, to name two.
Bodywork and electrical issues were the main bugbears for Velar owners, accounting for 15% and 9% of faults respectively. Although most cars could still be driven, 44% took more than a week to be fixed. While 75% of work was paid for by Land Rover, some owners faced bills of up to £750 and 6% had to pay more than £1500.
As a car brand, Land Rover placed 29th out of 34 manufacturers featured, which, while a better result than in previous surveys, is also poor. Its overall score was 87.1%. Most other premium manufacturers, such as Audi, BMW and Porsche, proved more reliable.
Used Range Rover Velar: owners' reliability data
Reliability concerns have been prevalent throughout owner feedback. Issues include difficulties with repairs under warranty, premature headlight replacements, unresolved mechanical problems even after garage visits, and persistent faults. Instances of dealerships being unable to address these problems have contributed to the overall dissatisfaction.
