1997 Land Rover Defender · 5,340 MOT tests
1997 Land Rover Defender reliability
1997 Land Rover Defenders fail 38% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 23 Defender years (5,340 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 38%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 137,967
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,340
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1996 cars: 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- 1998 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 11.2% of tests fail here (136% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 55% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.3%
- Suspension13.6%
- Body, chassis and structure12.9%
- Steering11.2%
- Brakes9.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Rear fog lamp not working 5.6%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.18%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 3.8%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.56%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 3.33%
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Stop lamp not working 2.96%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (24.93%) · Wheel bearing slight play (13.76%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (10.97%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.82%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (6.22%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (6.07%)
Other years
Every Land Rover Defender year
The full picture: Land Rover Defender reliability. Before you pay for any Land Rover Defender, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1997 Land Rover Defender reliable?
1997 Land Rover Defenders fail 38% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 23 Defender years (5,340 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often rear fog lamp not working (5.6% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.18% of tests), position lamp not working (3.8% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Land Rover Defender shows 137,967 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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