1998 Land Rover Defender · 12,721 MOT tests
1998 Land Rover Defender reliability
1998 Land Rover Defenders fail 35.5% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 23 Defender years (12,721 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 35.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 131,609
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,721
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: about average for its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 9.8% of tests fail here (114% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 64% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.9%
- Suspension13.1%
- Body, chassis and structure11.9%
- Steering9.8%
- Brakes8.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Rear fog lamp not working 4.01%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Position lamp not working 2.69%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.65%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Stop lamp not working 2.45%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.31%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.1%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (19.57%) · Wheel bearing slight play (10.36%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (10.12%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.47%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.46%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (5.3%)
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 1998 Land Rover Defender reliable?
1998 Land Rover Defenders fail 35.5% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 23 Defender years (12,721 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often rear fog lamp not working (4.01% of tests), position lamp not working (2.69% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (2.65% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Land Rover Defender shows 131,609 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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