Brake fade is the best description I could come up with........

Today, I had cause to stop a bit lively behind a bus. Not quite an emergency stop, but almost. As the car was slowing down, the pedal went hard and the brakes less effective. The car still stopped, but it more kind of coasted to a stop. Right after, it was fine again and has been since. It has done this once previously under heavy braking.

It felt as if I had lost servo assistance. But then I wondered is it old brake fluid? Or low pads? Or something else?

The brakes never felt terribly great to me, but they stop the car and you adapt; every car is different. The car has standard calipers on, not the Brembos some have.

Is there anything these cars are known to suffer from that causes this please?

Stuart, there was a recall iirc it was something to do with the servo on your model of sport, check with your dealer to see if this has been carried out.

Yes as Ady said, oil in brake servo from the vacuum pump.
I had the recall on my 2006 Disco 3. (Now gone)
They fit a new revised vacuum pipe arrangement although yours will probably need a new servo as well as it must have oil in it based on your symptoms
Regards
Barry 2017 Range Rover Sport TDV6 L494 SE Fuji White
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Ex Member Range Rover Club NSW

Confirmed, there was a recall for this, I had similar symptoms on my 2009 which were all fixed after the recall. I am surprised it hasn't been picked up on a service, unless you have a different problem? Gone - 2008 Stornoway Grey RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2009 Buckingham Blue RRS 2.7 TDV6
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+1 had this on my old 2.7 oil burner also, actually classified by LR as "Hard Brake Pedal" Another Pommie Bar Steward down under

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Thanks chaps. It hasn't been near a stealer since its first service, so likely never had any recall stuff done.

I'll get hold of them and see what they say.

Brake vacumn assistance system,mines being done on Tuesday

Had mine done all free of charge and car washed.  

Supporting the London Air Ambulance with my Brothers

You chaps are golden.

Its in the stealer next Wednesday for said brake recall. Having the four wheel alignment done while I am there (decided to use the stealer after reading here).

So not a bad result, alright they want £144 inc VAT for the wheel alignment, but the brake job is free as a recall and they are giving me a Freelander 3 for the day to play in as well.

Which is nice.

Mine went in this morning to have this brake recall service carried out. I've had no problem with the brakes at all, but knew about the recall so booked it in. Just got a call saying they need to order a part (servo) won't be getting the car back until tomorrow......at least there is no charge. Giving it a free health check too (whatever that entails?) so all is good.  2010 RRS TDV6 3.0 Autobiography - Stornoway Grey
2006 RRS TDV6 2.7 HSE -Java Black
2008 BMW 3 Series 2.l
2006 BMW 5 series 2.l

Which model and years does this recall apply to?

@1JBS Read this it might help. http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/989275 2010 RRS TDV6 3.0 Autobiography - Stornoway Grey
2006 RRS TDV6 2.7 HSE -Java Black
2008 BMW 3 Series 2.l
2006 BMW 5 series 2.l