2008 Land Rover Defender · 12,574 MOT tests
2008 Land Rover Defender reliability
2008 Land Rover Defenders fail 31.5% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 23 Defender years (12,574 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 31.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 89,758
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,574
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 9.2% of tests fail here (199% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 75% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.6%
- Suspension9.5%
- Brakes9.5%
- Steering9.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%
- Body, chassis and structure4.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.2%
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 3.1%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.82%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Stop lamp not working 2.36%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.35%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp aim set too high 1.96%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.84%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.52%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (7.48%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.78%) · Wheel bearing slight play (6.11%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (5.22%)
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 2008 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2008 Land Rover Defenders fail 31.5% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 23 Defender years (12,574 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.2% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (3.1% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.82% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Land Rover Defender shows 89,758 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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