Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate & common failures

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

2.2 points above the fleet average of 65.7%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Land Rover Defender tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

1. 1.A shock absorber bush excessively worn16.1%

   213 occurrences

2. 2.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning14.4%

   191 occurrences

3. 3.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded14.3%

   189 occurrences

4. 4.The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired10.3%

   136 occurrences

5. 5.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen8.7%

   115 occurrences

6. 6.An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning8.6%

   114 occurrences

7. 7.Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced8.5%

   113 occurrences

8. 8.A wheel bearing with excessive play8.2%

   108 occurrences

9. 9.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.3%

   96 occurrences

10. 10.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps7.0%

    92 occurrences

11. 11.Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc6.6%

    87 occurrences

12. 12.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning6.4%

    85 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Land Rover Defender tests carrying each advisory.

1. 1.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded24.9%

   1,203 tests

2. 2.Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users20.5%

   992 tests

3. 3.A wheel bearing with excessive play10.8%

   522 tests

4. 4.A tyre seriously damaged10.4%

   504 tests

5. 5.A shock absorber bush excessively worn9.3%

   449 tests

6. 6.Unknown (32135)8.8%

   425 tests

7. 7.Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users7.8%

   375 tests

8. 8.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened7.5%

   363 tests

How wear changes the picture

Defender pass rate by age and registration year

What gets tested

The Defender fleet

Average mileage recorded at test

121,394

Test classes

class 7: 4,837

Compare within the range

Other Land Rover vans

• Land Rover Discovery86.6%
• All Land Rover vans

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Land Rover Defender?

67.8% unadjusted, from 4,837 DVSA tests. The average across all vans is 65.7%.

What does a Land Rover Defender fail its MOT on?

"A shock absorber bush excessively worn" is recorded in 16.1% of failed Land Rover Defender tests, followed by "A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning" (14.4%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Land Rover Defender usually have at its MOT?

121,394 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Van mileages run far higher than cars, and a working van at five years old can have covered what a car covers in fifteen.