2000 Land Rover Discovery 2 - 24,000 Miles

Background:

When the Discovery Series 2 rolled out in the autumn of 1998, it marked a significant milestone for Land Rover, arriving four years after BMW’s acquisition of the Rover Group from British Aerospace in 1994. Promoted with the claim of 720 individual improvements over its predecessor, the Discovery 2 represented a substantial reworking both inside and out.

Though its design retained clear visual ties to the original Discovery, the Series 2 featured a more refined interior and exterior, shedding some of the utilitarian cues of the first generation. Mechanically, it stood as the final Land Rover SUV built atop the foundational underpinnings of the original 1970 Range Rover, a lineage that defined much of the brand’s off-road reputation. Under the bonnet, the Series 2 saw the retirement of the previous 3,948cc V8 in favour of the 'Thor' 4-litre V8 engine borrowed from the Range Rover P38. Despite the new engine's unchanged displacement, the internals were comprehensively updated.

The Discovery Series 2 thus served as both a nod to Land Rover’s rugged heritage and a step toward modern refinement, bridging the gap between old-school engineering and the brand’s future under new ownership.

The Car:

This super low-mileage example left the production line in 2000, a pre-facelift model specified with the venerable 4-litre V8 and automatic gearbox, finished in dark metallic blue over a grey fabric interior. Over its 25-year life, this car has covered less than 1,000 miles per year, with just over 24,000 miles showing on the odometer.

The car drives superbly, with the engine pulling beautifully and the gearbox shifting smoothly between gears. The ride is absolutely in line with that of a car that has covered the kind of mileage most others had accumulated within two years, absorbing all undulations and imperfections in the road surface silently, with no knocks or squeaks from the suspension.

Cosmetically, the exterior presents well with a few marks commensurate with age. There are two spots on the roof that would need addressing with new paint for the purist, certainly not uncommon on a Disco 2. The car has little to no corrosion, with only one spot on the B-pillar (images of which can be found in the gallery). Clear indicators are currently fitted, however a set of original orange replacements will be supplied with the car.

Inside, it really does feel like a timewarp, with the seats in superb condition. Everything is in excellent order and fully functional, with no tears or damage; it even retains that old 1990s Land Rover smell. There are a few signs of wear - on the handbrake gaiter, for example - but nothing out of the ordinary.

Supplied with a long MOT until January 2026, which it passed without advisory (as it has done since 2020). A nice history file accompanies the car detailing the work carried-out over the years.

Service History:

• Service – 1,216 miles – 3/4/02 – Matford Land Rover
• Service – 1,775 miles – 18/8/03 – Matford Land Rover
• Service – 2,464 miles – 13/9/04– Matford Land Rover
• Service – 6,596 miles – 20/2/07 – Matford Land Rover
• Service – 9,997 miles – 4/2/09 – White Horse Motors
• Service – 12,199 miles – 25/2/12– White Horse Motors
• Service –20,010 miles – 18/12/20 – Westerham Garage

This would be a wonderful addition to any 4x4 collection, needing very little to be presented in perfect condition.

Location - Hampshire

Seller - Trade

Photography - Professional