2010 Land Rover Defender · 13,059 MOT tests
2010 Land Rover Defender reliability
2010 Land Rover Defenders fail 30.5% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 23 Defender years (13,059 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2010 Land Rover Defender?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 30.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 76,925
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,059
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2010 against the years either side
- 2009 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2010 car does better)
- 2011 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2010 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.8% of tests fail here (209% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 72% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2010 car carries a 59 plate (January–February 2010), or a 10 plate (March–August 2010), or a 60 plate (September–December 2010).
Common problems
What fails on a 2010 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.8%
- Brakes9.5%
- Suspension8.2%
- Steering7.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 3.42%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.15%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Position lamp not working 3.02%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 2.61%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.23%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp aim set too high 2.09%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.46%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.09%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (7.71%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.32%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (4.98%) · Transmission oil leak, not excessive (4.63%)
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 2010 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2010 Land Rover Defenders fail 30.5% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 23 Defender years (13,059 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2010 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often shock absorber bush excessively worn (3.42% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (3.15% of tests), position lamp not working (3.02% of tests).
How many miles should a 2010 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2010 Land Rover Defender shows 76,925 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2010 car?
A car first registered in 2010 carries a 59 plate (January–February 2010), or a 10 plate (March–August 2010), or a 60 plate (September–December 2010).
Check a 2010 Land Rover Defender free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.