2001 Land Rover Defender · 10,684 MOT tests
2001 Land Rover Defender reliability
2001 Land Rover Defenders fail 36.8% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 23 Defender years (10,684 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
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 22
- 124,488
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 22
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 10,684
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2001 against the years either side
- 2000 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does better)
- 2002 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 11.5% of tests fail here (139% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 69% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2001 car carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
Common problems
What fails on a 2001 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.5%
- Suspension13%
- Body, chassis and structure12.3%
- Steering11.5%
- Brakes9.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.27%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 2.98%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.88%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Rear fog lamp not working 2.85%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Stop lamp not working 2.68%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 2.6%
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.03%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.8%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.7%) · Wheel bearing slight play (6.7%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (6.05%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.03%)
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 2001 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2001 Land Rover Defenders fail 36.8% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 23 Defender years (10,684 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2001 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.27% of tests), position lamp not working (2.98% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.88% of tests).
How many miles should a 2001 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 22, a typical 2001 Land Rover Defender shows 124,488 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2001 car?
A car first registered in 2001 carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
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