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To some, driving a Range Rover is the epitome of success and a symbol of wealth, while for others, driving Range Rover means that you can go just about anywhere any time due to the lineup’s unrelenting capability both on and off the road. However, there’s also a stigma that comes with the brand as most of its vehicles have been considered to be unreliable and very expensive to repair. But if you ever do buy a Range Rover, how many miles could you expect it to last?

Is the Range Rover stereotype true?

Technically speaking, any vehicle can last for ages with the proper care and maintenance. However, when it comes to Range Rovers, you never really know what you’re going to get. For example, Car and Driver had a 2018 Range Rover Velar as a long-term loaner car and during the one year that they had the vehicle, it went to the shop multiple times for electrical issues and a recall concerning a leaking fuel rail. And this was on a vehicle that only had 40,000 miles on it!

A new Range Rover car is pictured on the forecourt of a Jaguar Land Rover new car show room in Tonbridge
The Land Rover Range Rover | BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

Luckily, the warranty covered the cost of repairs. However, most people would probably agree that those issues are unacceptable for a brand-new car and especially unacceptable considering its price (as tested) was over $67,000. Additionally, Doug Demuro – an auto journalist — was pretty well known for his video series concerning a used Range Rover that he bought from Carmax, along with a $3,900 comprehensive warranty.

Within 18 months, the warranty that he purchased paid for itself via a series of repairs that included a leaking radiator, a failed air suspension, and even a failed power tilt steering column. In less than six years, the total warranty bill came out to nearly $17,000 for a Range Rover that had around 125,000 miles on the odometer. He was lucky that he bought the warranty and we would advise anyone looking into buying a used Range Rover to do the same.

The jury is out when it comes to how many miles a Range Rover will last

It’s safe to say that any Range Rover, new or used, can last for many years and many miles. However, it’s possible that you’ll be left with some hefty repair bills along the way. According to some consumer feedback, many Range Rovers have reported their cars lasting well over 100,000 miles and you can even find plenty of them for sale with just as many miles, but the cost that it took them to get there is likely a different story.

Repair Pal estimates that it will cost, on average, $1,258 per year in repair costs and they gave the Range Rover a two out of five when it comes to reliability. Consumer Reports rated the 2021 Range Rover a one out of five in their “predicted reliability” index, and the fun doesn’t stop there. For every positive review, there are negative ones as well and we found many other owner complaints regarding electrical, suspension, and even transmission issues under the 100,000-mile range.

2021 Range Rover Fifty Edition driving on road
2021 Range Rover Fifty Edition | Range Rover

Use caution when buying a Range Rover

If you’re thinking about buying a used Range Rover, then it’s advisable to be cautious when doing so. Be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection done and take into consideration the possible repairs that you might encounter during your ownership. And if you’re planning to buy a new one, then we would advise you to lease and not purchase so that you can enjoy the car for a few years while it’s under warranty and then get out of it after the lease ends.

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