Large SUV · 1996–2021 cars

Land Rover Defender reliability

The Land Rover Defender fails 28.8% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 284,463 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 64/100#22 of 30 large suvs

Checking a Land Rover Defender before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 28.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 15% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 284,463; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Land Rover Defender has a first-time MOT fail rate of 28.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 15% fewer MOT fails. It ranks 22 of 30 large SUV models. Newer examples do best: 2021 cars had 64% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 1996 cars had 4% more.

A lower ranking doesn't rule the Defender out, but buy with care. Steering is its weakest area, with 139% more fails there than comparable cars, so get it looked at closely. On the car you're viewing, check the position lamp, shock absorber bushes, stop lamp and wiper blades, which are its most common MOT failures. Ask for the MOT history and look for repeat faults.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Land Rover Defender ages

Each point is the share of Land Rover Defenders of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Land Rover DefenderAll cars

Land Rover Defender first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Land Rover Defender	All cars
3	5.8%	12.3%
4	6.8%	14.1%
5	19.9%	16.4%
6	18.7%	19.1%
7	20.3%	22.1%
8	20.9%	25.5%
9	23.1%	28.8%
10	26.2%	31.8%
11	28.8%	34.6%
12	30.1%	37.3%
13	31.5%	39.5%
14	32.1%	41.1%
15	32.4%	42.3%
16	32.6%	42.9%
17	33.1%	43.4%
18	34.5%	43.5%
19	34.3%	43.4%
20	35.3%	42.8%
21	35.6%	41.4%
22	37.2%	40.6%
23	36.5%	38.9%
24	36.2%	37.1%
25	36.4%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Land Rover Defender years

2021 cars come out best and 1996 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Land Rover Defender MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Defender	8,432	4.5%	64% fewer fails	31,305
2020 Defender	12,737	6.9%	50% fewer fails	35,908
2016 Defender	6,439	15.9%	3% fewer fails	26,682
2015 Defender	23,548	19.6%	2% fewer fails	39,161
2014 Defender	20,010	22.7%	4% fewer fails	49,824
2013 Defender	15,073	25.8%	5% fewer fails	57,807
2012 Defender	13,092	28.2%	6% fewer fails	63,360
2011 Defender	12,882	30.2%	10% fewer fails	72,729
2010 Defender	13,059	30.5%	16% fewer fails	76,925
2009 Defender	11,737	32.6%	15% fewer fails	81,932
2008 Defender	12,574	31.5%	22% fewer fails	89,758
2007 Defender	13,592	31.8%	24% fewer fails	94,209
2006 Defender	12,470	33.5%	21% fewer fails	100,584
2005 Defender	13,853	34%	21% fewer fails	105,280
2004 Defender	14,329	34%	23% fewer fails	112,686
2003 Defender	14,718	35.7%	19% fewer fails	120,648
2002 Defender	13,003	34.9%	20% fewer fails	124,307
2001 Defender	10,684	36.8%	14% fewer fails	124,488
2000 Defender	10,028	37.6%	9% fewer fails	129,242
1999 Defender	12,245	36.8%	8% fewer fails	135,965
1998 Defender	12,721	35.5%	8% fewer fails	131,609
1997 Defender	5,340	38%	2% fewer fails	137,967
1996 Defender	1,729	40.2%	4% more fails	143,691

Common problems

What fails most on a Land Rover Defender

Its weak spot is steering: 139% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics15.3%2% above avg
Suspension8.5%30% below avg
Brakes7.9%17% below avg
Steering7%139% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%4% above avg
Body, chassis and structure5.7%7% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.2%54% below avg
Tyres1.8%70% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.3%34% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.13% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.6% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
3
Stop lamp not working 2.34% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.1% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.08% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
6
Headlamp aim set too high 1.61% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
7
Rear fog lamp not working 1.61% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.46% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Land Rover Defender's MOT certificate most often.

Brake pipes corroded and greasy11.28%
Engine oil leak, not excessive10.13%
Shock absorber bush slightly worn5.95%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.5%
Wheel bearing slight play4.71%
Seat belt webbing slightly frayed4.42%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Land Rover Defender

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Land Rover Defender covers about 6,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel97.9%
Petrol1.9%
Hybrid0.1%
Electric0%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Green, Grey, Black, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 2.4 litres.

Compare

How the Land Rover Defender compares with its rivals

Land Rover Defender against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi Q7	16.8%	41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Range Rover	19.4%	39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Range Rover Sport	17.7%	38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW X5	19.9%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Discovery	25.3%	26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Defender	28.8%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo XC90	27.3%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Land Rover models.

Questions

Land Rover Defender questions, answered

Is the Land Rover Defender reliable?

On MOT results, the Land Rover Defender is better than average: it fails 28.8% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 22 of 30 large suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Land Rover Defender MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Land Rover Defender are position lamp not working (3.13% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.6% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.34% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.3% of its tests.

Which Land Rover Defender year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1996 cars do worst (4% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Land Rover Defender do a year?

A typical Land Rover Defender covers about 6,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Land Rover Defender before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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