1999 Land Rover Defender · 12,245 MOT tests
1999 Land Rover Defender reliability
1999 Land Rover Defenders fail 36.8% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 23 Defender years (12,245 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 36.8%
- 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 24
- 135,965
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,245
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 10.7% of tests fail here (121% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 65% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.3%
- Suspension13.5%
- Body, chassis and structure12.4%
- Steering10.7%
- Brakes9.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Rear fog lamp not working 3.28%
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 2.75%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 2.31%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 2.29%
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.2%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.13%
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 (14.73%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.81%) · Wheel bearing slight play (7.2%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.54%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.29%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (4.98%)
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 1999 Land Rover Defender reliable?
1999 Land Rover Defenders fail 36.8% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 23 Defender years (12,245 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often rear fog lamp not working (3.28% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (2.75% of tests), position lamp not working (2.31% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 Land Rover Defender shows 135,965 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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