2005 Land Rover Defender · 13,853 MOT tests
2005 Land Rover Defender reliability
2005 Land Rover Defenders fail 34% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 23 Defender years (13,853 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 34%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 21% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 105,280
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,853
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- 2006 cars: 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 9.4% of tests fail here (131% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 77% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics16.4%
- Suspension11.2%
- Brakes10.3%
- Steering9.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.4%
- Body, chassis and structure7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.27%
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 2.82%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.59%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.5%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
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.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.01%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (16.45%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.38%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.96%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (6.86%) · Wheel bearing slight play (6.67%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (5.29%)
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 2005 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2005 Land Rover Defenders fail 34% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 23 Defender years (13,853 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.27% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.82% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.59% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2005 Land Rover Defender shows 105,280 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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