2013 Land Rover Defender · 15,073 MOT tests
2013 Land Rover Defender reliability
2013 Land Rover Defenders fail 25.8% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 23 Defender years (15,073 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 25.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- 57,807
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 15,073
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2013 against the years either side
- 2012 cars: 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2013 car does worse)
- 2014 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2013 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 4.1% of tests fail here (148% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 73% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2013 car carries a 62 plate (January–February 2013), or a 13 plate (March–August 2013), or a 63 plate (September–December 2013).
Common problems
What fails on a 2013 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.8%
- Brakes6.3%
- Suspension5.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
- Steering4.1%
- Body, chassis and structure1.5%
- Tyres1.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.22%
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 3.04%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Stop lamp not working 2.91%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.02%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.96%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.9%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.52%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (6.91%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (4.7%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.27%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (3.8%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (3.54%)
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 2013 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2013 Land Rover Defenders fail 25.8% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 23 Defender years (15,073 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2013 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.22% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (3.04% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.91% of tests).
How many miles should a 2013 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 10, a typical 2013 Land Rover Defender shows 57,807 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2013 car?
A car first registered in 2013 carries a 62 plate (January–February 2013), or a 13 plate (March–August 2013), or a 63 plate (September–December 2013).
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