2002 Land Rover Defender · 13,003 MOT tests
2002 Land Rover Defender reliability
2002 Land Rover Defenders fail 34.9% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 23 Defender years (13,003 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 34.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 124,307
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,003
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 10.6% of tests fail here (115% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 71% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics16.5%
- Suspension12.1%
- Steering10.6%
- Body, chassis and structure10.3%
- Brakes10.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 2.91%
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.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.68%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Stop lamp not working 2.48%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rear fog lamp not working 2.38%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.03%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (17.38%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.75%) · Wheel bearing slight play (6.78%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.64%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (6.32%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (5.82%)
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 2002 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2002 Land Rover Defenders fail 34.9% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 23 Defender years (13,003 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (2.91% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.88% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.68% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2002 Land Rover Defender shows 124,307 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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