Range Rover L405 reliability: 2013 to 2021 buying guide
Range Rover L405 reliability: SDV6, SDV8, Ingenium and petrol engines, air suspension, electrical faults, depreciation and dealer checks.
· 6 min read
Range Rover L405 reliability is mixed: the aluminium body ages well and the 4.4 SDV8 has a good reputation, but early cars suffer electrical and software faults, the 3.0 V6 diesel carries crankshaft risk and air suspension needs regular money. Post-2018 facelift cars, and especially the 2020–2021 straight-six mild hybrids, are the lower-risk buys for dealer stock.
L405 overview: years, engines and facelift
The L405 is the fourth-generation Range Rover, built from late 2012 to early 2022. It introduced an all-aluminium body and was facelifted for the 2018 model year with new screens, lights and a plug-in hybrid.
| Engine | Approximate years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 TDV6 / SDV6 diesel | 2013–2020 | volume engine; crankshaft bearing risk |
| SDV6 Hybrid (diesel hybrid) | 2014–2017 | rare; complex, specialist knowledge needed |
| 4.4 SDV8 diesel | 2013–2020 | strong reputation; oil dilution on short-trip cars |
| 3.0 V6 supercharged petrol | 2013–2019 | smooth, thirsty |
| 5.0 V8 supercharged petrol | 2013–2021 | fast; costly to run |
| P400e plug-in hybrid | 2018–2021 | 2.0 Ingenium petrol plus electric motor |
| D300/D350 Ingenium six, P400 petrol six | 2019/2020–2021 | 48-volt mild hybrids that replaced the V6 and V8 |
Is the Range Rover L405 reliable?
The L405 is reliable enough for profitable trade if you choose the engine carefully and price in known weak points. Few cars suffer catastrophic failures; most bills come from suspension, electrics and cooling-system components.
The pattern by age:
- 2013–2015: The most software and electrical faults, plus the full V6 diesel crank risk. Many issues have been fixed under warranty, so the history tells you a lot.
- 2016–2017: More settled, but still pre-facelift electronics.
- 2018–2019 facelift: Touch Pro Duo screens bring their own software bugs, but overall build quality improved.
- 2020–2021: The Ingenium straight-six diesels replace the V6 and V8, removing the crank worry. These are usually the best L405s for stock.
For car dealers
Know your margin before you buy
MyCarDealer compares any car from an auction or listing with the market in your country and shows the net margin after VAT, transport and costs – and the maximum bid.
Request accessWhich L405 engines have problems?
The 3.0 V6 diesel is the L405 engine with the most serious known weakness. Crankshaft bearing failures documented on the TDV6 family can destroy the engine, and a replacement unit can cost more than an older car is worth. Our guide to Range Rover SDV6 reliability explains the checks.
Other engines:
- 4.4 SDV8: Generally robust. Repeated incomplete diesel particulate filter regenerations can dilute the oil on cars used for short trips, and the engine has many coolant hoses and plastic parts that age. See our 4.4 TDV8 and SDV8 guide.
- 5.0 supercharged V8: Durable with regular servicing, but cooling-system plastics, supercharger noise and fuel costs limit its appeal.
- P400e: Charging and hybrid-system faults; the 2.0 Ingenium petrol needs a cold-start listen.
- SDV6 Hybrid: Rare and complex; avoid unless you have a buyer and a specialist lined up.
Which L405 engine is most reliable? For most dealers, the 4.4 SDV8 and the 2020–2021 D300/D350 straight-six are the safest choices.
Electrical faults on the L405
Electrical faults are the L405's most frequent complaint. Many are software-related; some require expensive modules.
Typical findings:
- Infotainment freezes, reboots and Bluetooth dropouts.
- Keyless entry and alarm faults, sometimes with battery drain.
- Parking sensors and camera failures.
- Random warning messages that clear and return.
- Soft-close doors and tailgate faults.
A full diagnostic scan before purchase is essential. A car with a long list of stored faults may still sell, but you need to know what you are buying and price the fix.
Air suspension, cooling and gearbox checks
Air suspension is the largest regular repair on an L405. Springs leak with age, compressors wear out and valve blocks stick.
Inspection routine:
- Check ride height after the car has stood for an hour or more.
- Cycle through all heights and watch for slow movement or fault messages.
- Look at coolant levels and plastic pipes for leaks.
- Test the ZF eight-speed gearbox for harsh or delayed shifts; ask whether the fluid has been changed.
As a rough planning figure, allow €1,000–2,000 per air suspension corner with original parts at main-dealer rates, and less at independent specialists.
How much an L405 loses in value
L405 values fall steeply in the first years and then flatten, which is why older cars can look like bargains. According to listings tracked by MyCarDealer in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Poland in October 2026:
| Range Rover L405 | Listings | Median asking price | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016 diesel | 132 | €23,500 | about 198,000 km |
| 2017–2021 diesel | 127 | €41,900 | about 146,000 km |
| 2018–2021 plug-in hybrid | 33 | €46,850 | about 126,000 km |
By country, 2013–2016 diesels had medians of €23,950 in the Netherlands, €21,900 in Belgium and €24,900 in Italy; 2017–2021 diesels had €41,800 in Italy and €35,000 in Belgium. The difference between the two age groups is about €18,000, but the groups also differ in mileage, engine and trim, so this is a direction, not an annual depreciation rate.
For your own figures, compare the specific car with current listings in your market. A free valuation does that and shows the margin left after costs.
How to buy an L405 for stock
Buy an L405 on its history and engine, and set a hard maximum bid that includes a repair reserve. The cars attract strong retail interest, but customers expect them to be faultless.
- Prefer the 4.4 SDV8 or a 2020–2021 straight-six diesel.
- Check service history, oil change intervals and recall status.
- Run a full diagnostic scan and an air suspension test.
- Inspect the infotainment, keyless entry and all electrical features.
- Deduct VAT correctly: under the margin scheme, VAT is due on your margin only (VAT Directive 2006/112/EC, Articles 311–343); on a VAT-qualifying car it is due on the full price.
- Add a reserve for at least one suspension corner on cars over eight years old.
Our guide to setting a maximum bid shows how to combine these numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Range Rover L405 reliable?
It is reasonably reliable if you choose the right engine and the car has a full history. Electrical faults and air suspension wear are the most common issues; the 3.0 V6 diesel carries a crankshaft risk.
Which L405 engine is most reliable?
The 4.4 SDV8 and the 2020–2021 D300/D350 Ingenium straight-six diesels are generally regarded as the safest choices. The 3.0 V6 diesel has the most serious known weakness.
What electrical faults does the L405 have?
Common faults include infotainment freezes, keyless entry and alarm problems, battery drain, camera and sensor failures and soft-close door issues. Many are software-related and fixed by updates.
Is the L322 or L405 more reliable?
The L405 is generally more reliable because it is newer and has fewer age-related faults. Its repair bills are higher, but its value leaves more room for a dealer.
Which Range Rover years should I stay away from?
Treat 2013–2015 L405s with the 3.0 V6 diesel and gaps in history with the most caution. Facelifted 2018-onwards cars, especially the 2020–2021 straight-six diesels, are the safer choices.