2016 Land Rover Defender · 6,439 MOT tests
2016 Land Rover Defender reliability
2016 Land Rover Defenders fail 15.9% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 23 Defender years (6,439 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2016 Land Rover Defender?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- 15.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Land Rover Defenders: 28.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 7
- 26,682
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 7
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 6,439
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2016 against the years either side
- 2015 cars: about average for its age (the 2016 car does better)
- 2020 cars: 50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2016 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 9.3% of tests fail here (117% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 72% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2016 car carries a 65 plate (January–February 2016), or a 16 plate (March–August 2016), or a 66 plate (September–December 2016).
Common problems
What fails on a 2016 Land Rover Defender
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%
- Brakes3.2%
- Suspension2.8%
- Tyres1.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.9%
- Body, chassis and structure0.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 2.84%
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 1.6%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.46%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.44%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp aim set too high 1.4%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Stop lamp not working 1.34%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Shock absorber bush slightly worn (4.01%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (3.53%) · Brake pads wearing thin (2.81%) · Seat belt webbing slightly frayed (2.24%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (2.14%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.99%)
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 2016 Land Rover Defender reliable?
2016 Land Rover Defenders fail 15.9% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 23 Defender years (6,439 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2016 Land Rover Defender MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (2.84% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (1.6% of tests), headlamp aim set too low (1.46% of tests).
How many miles should a 2016 Land Rover Defender have done?
At its MOT aged about 7, a typical 2016 Land Rover Defender shows 26,682 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2016 car?
A car first registered in 2016 carries a 65 plate (January–February 2016), or a 16 plate (March–August 2016), or a 66 plate (September–December 2016).
Check a 2016 Land Rover Defender free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.