The Discovery 4 uses 4 main diesel engine codes: 276DT, 306DT, 30DDTX and SDV6, each with different failure patterns, parts costs and labour times.
The Discovery 4 engine replacement cost you pay depends on which engine code the vehicle carries, and whether the crankshaft is intact, and which replacement option is used: reconditioned or original block rebuild suits your ownership plans.
Land Rover Discovery 4 engine replacement cost UK starts at £3,500 for a reconditioned 2.7 TDV6 (276DT) supply and fit, rising to £6,500 for a 3.0 SDV6 (30DDTX) on a post-2011 model.
Discovery 4 Engine Replacement Cost by Engine Code
The Land Rover Discovery 4 engine replacement cost UK splits clearly by engine code.
The 276DT is the cheapest to replace; the SDV6 is the most expensive. Labour cost differs by model year because post-2011 Discovery 4 models with the 8-speed ZF gearbox carry additional removal and ECU (Engine Control Unit) pairing requirements.
| Engine Code | Variant | Used + Fit | Reconditioned + Fit | Labour Only |
| 276DT | 2.7 TDV6 (2009–2011) | £2,200–£3,500 | £3,500–£5,000 | £900–£1,300 |
| 306DT | 3.0 TDV6 (2009–2016) | £2,500–£3,800 | £3,800–£5,800 | £1,000–£1,500 |
| 30DDTX | 3.0 SDV6 (2011–2016) | £2,800–£4,200 | £4,500–£6,500 | £1,100–£1,600 |
| 306PS | 3.0 V6 Petrol (limited UK) | £3,000–£4,500 | £4,800–£7,000 | £1,200–£1,700 |
2.7 TDV6 (276DT) Replacement Cost:
The Discovery 4 276DT engine was fitted to 2009–2011 models before Land Rover replaced it with the 3.0 SDV6. A reconditioned Discovery 4 276DT engine supply and fit costs £3,500–£5,000, the lowest in the range.
Parts availability is strong because the 276DT was shared with the Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport L320. The 276DT carries the highest crankshaft failure risk in the Discovery 4 range, a documented issue that makes buying a used 276DT without crankshaft verification a significant gamble.
3.0 TDV6 (306DT) and SDV6 (30DDTX) Replacement Cost
The Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 engine (306DT) runs £3,800–£5,800 for reconditioned supply and fit and is the most commonly replaced unit in the Discovery 4 range. The Discovery 4 SDV6 engine (30DDTX), introduced in 2011 with the 8-speed gearbox, costs £4,500–£6,500 for reconditioned supply and fit.
The SDV6 costs more because the 30DDTX engine code carries fewer reconditioned units in UK stock compared to the higher-volume 306DT, and the 8-speed ZF gearbox requires separate ECU coding after installation.
What Causes Discovery 4 Engine Failure: The 5 Known Fault Patterns
Discovery 4 crankshaft failure is the most dramatic and most discussed failure mode, but it is not the most common. These are the 5 fault patterns that drive Discovery 4 engine replacements in the UK:
- Crankshaft failure (276DT and early 306DT)
- Timing belt failure (306DT and 30DDTX)
- EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler cracking
- Main bearing wear (276DT and 306DT)
- DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) blockage causing forced regeneration damage
The second Discovery 4 crankshaft failure scenario, where the crank breaks mid-drive rather than wearing progressively, is nearly always the result of bearing starvation from delayed oil changes or the wrong oil grade. JLR-approved specification STJLR.03.5005 is mandatory at a maximum 10,000-mile (16,000 km) interval on all TDV6 and SDV6 units.
Rebuild vs Replace vs Reconditioned: Which Is Right for Your Discovery 4?
| Option | Cost (engine only) | Warranty | Internal condition | Best for |
| Used unit | £900–£2,500 | 30 days–6 months | Unknown, carries donor mileage | Short-term fix, lower value Disco 4 |
| Reconditioned Discovery 4 engine | £2,200–£4,500 | 6–24 months | Verified, OEM-quality parts | Owners keeping vehicle 2+ years |
| Discovery 4 engine rebuild cost (original block) | £2,500–£5,000 | 12–24 months | Machined to factory tolerance | Sound block, V5C number retention |
| New OEM engine | £7,000–£12,000+ | 12 months JLR | Factory new | Main dealer only, newest models |
A reconditioned Discovery 4 engine is the right choice for most owners planning to keep the vehicle beyond 18 months.
The reconditioned unit delivers a verified internal condition: new crankshaft bearings, updated timing belt kit, resurfaced cylinder head, compression tested to a minimum of 22 bar per cylinder with ≤1.5 bar variance at 40–55% of new OEM cost.
The Discovery 4 engine rebuild cost option suits owners with a structurally sound original block who want to retain the original engine number on the V5C logbook. Replacing the engine with a unit from a different vehicle changes the engine number and requires a V5C update with the DVLA. Rebuilding the original block avoids this requirement entirely.
The Discovery 4 engine supply and fit process from a JLR-specialist workshop must include a post-installation SDD (Symptom-Driven Diagnostics) scan confirming ECU pairing, DPF calibration, Terrain Response integration and zero pending fault codes.
A general garage without SDD tooling cannot complete this step and leaves the Discovery 4 with undetected fault codes that generate warning lights within 500 miles.
The second Discovery 4 engine supply and fit requirement is a 500-mile oil change immediately after installation. Reconditioned engines produce metal particles during the bedding-in period; leaving these particles in the sump beyond 500 miles circulates abrasive material through new bearings continuously.
Labour Cost and What Affects the Total Bill:
Discovery 4 engine replacement labour cost runs £900–£1,600 depending on the engine code and gearbox generation. The 276DT on a pre-2011 model carries the lowest Discovery 4 engine replacement labour cost, the 6-speed gearbox is simpler to remove, and the engine bay access is better than post-2011 L319 models with the 8-speed ZF unit.
Post-2011 models with the 30DDTX SDV6 and 8-speed ZF gearbox add £200–£300 to the labour total because the gearbox must be partially removed to access the rear timing belt drive. Independent JLR specialists charge £70–£100 per hour in most UK regions; main dealers charge £120–£160 per hour.
FAQs:
What is the Land Rover Discovery 4 engine replacement cost UK for the 306DT?
Land Rover Discovery 4 engine replacement cost UK for a reconditioned Land Rover Discovery 4 306DT engine supply and fit runs £3,800–£5,800 including labour, OEM-quality parts and a 12-month written warranty.
Is the Discovery 4 276DT crankshaft failure common?
Discovery 4 crankshaft failure on the 276DT affects high-mileage units above 100,000 miles, particularly those with extended oil change intervals. The fault is significantly less common on the 306DT with the updated crankshaft specification introduced in 2011.
Is it worth replacing a Discovery 4 engine at 150,000 miles?
Yes, a reconditioned Discovery 4 engine at 150,000 miles is worthwhile if the chassis, gearbox and body are sound. Discovery 4 values remain strong enough to justify a £4,000–£5,500 engine replacement on a well-maintained example.
Does replacing the Discovery 4 engine require DVLA notification?
Yes, fitting a replacement engine with a different engine number requires a V5C update with the DVLA. The Discovery 4 engine rebuild cost route avoids this because rebuilding the original block retains the original engine number.
How long does a Discovery 4 engine replacement take?
Discovery 4 engine replacement labour cost at a JLR specialist covers 5–8 working days. Pre-2011 276DT swaps take 5–6 days. Post-2011 SDV6 replacements take 7–8 days, including ECU coding and post-installation SDD confirmation.
Conclusion:
Land Rover Discovery 4 engine replacement cost UK is defined by engine code, crankshaft condition and the replacement option chosen.
A reconditioned Discovery 4 engine with SDD post-installation confirmation and a 12-month written warranty is the right choice for any Discovery 4 owner planning long-term use.
For Engine Rebuilds and Repairs, Diagnostic Expertise and Discovery 4 engine supply and fit across all TDV6 and SDV6 engine codes, contact Jaguar and Land Rover Engine Specialists at jaguarlandroverengines.co.uk or call 02081241303.
