Hi I have just test driven a used freelander 2.
when I brake hard the steering gave a judder and there was a knocking noise from the front.
The garage say it is the front discs and pads, they are going to replace them.
Does this sound right?

It was a knocking noise like the abs was being applied.

Could well be a seized front caliper. My previous FL2 had that when I first bought it s/h. Was sorted with new caliper, 2 discs and a set of pads.  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Only experience I had with a steering wheel judder was back in the 90's with my old Astra. Needed new brake pads. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

If a car is left unmoved for quite a few weeks water gets pulled into the area of disc covered by the pad. It's called capillary action. The covered bit of disc starts a conversion of the cast iron/steel to a compound called rust. The compound polishes hard and makes the disc thicker at that point.
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Driving the car will provide 'hammer brakes' as the pads have to jump over the thick bit. It causes a hammering action on the steering wheel and felt at the brake pedal. If the problem is caught within a few miles the rust can be cleaned off the disc and problems dissapears.
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It's highly likely that there will also be rust on the caliper cradle slider points where the pad ears should slide.
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If the car is otherwise sound then if the pads and discs are replaced then it shouldn't stop you buying the car.
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I do hope this helps.
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Kind regards from Fred
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Thanks guys for your help.
The garage are changing the discs and pads.
I will test drive it again before I take it.
If there was a problem with the Abs would it come up in the system check on start up?

Yes. Don't worry. When they replace the discs and pads it will be fine. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.