Land Rover Defender Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Land Rover Defender passes its MOT first time on 68.0% of tests, 2.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (65.2%). That puts it ahead of 63% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2021 Defender does best (beats 96% of cars) and the 2015 worst (beats 36%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 97%) and the 2.2 Diesel worst (beats 43%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks, tyres, seat belts & airbags.

Watch these weak spots

Steering2.4×as often as a typical car

Shock absorbers2.5×as often as a typical car

Drag link end12.4×as often as a typical car

Track rod ends1.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Land Rover DefenderTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 41%

Beats 36%

Beats 32%

Beats 30%

Beats 26%

Beats 30%

Beats 30%

Beats 35%

Beats 37%

Beats 39%

Beats 39%

Beats 45%

Beats 54%

Beats 59%

Beats 61%

Beats 64%

Beats 66%

Beats 69%

Beats 78%

Beats 78%

Beats 80%

Beats 80%

Beats 75%

Beats 78%

Beats 77%

Beats 69%

Beats 67%

Beats 61%

Beats 52%

Beats 46%

Beats 44%

Beats 36%

Beats 30%

Beats 89%

Beats 96%

Beats 96%

Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1984–2012	542,457	62.3%	Beats 62%	B
2.2 Diesel	2011–2016	186,921	77.0%	Beats 43%	C
2.4 Diesel	2007–2012	160,175	67.8%	Beats 70%	B
3.0 Diesel	2021–2023	38,569	91.7%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Diesel	2020–2021	13,689	88.9%	Beats 87%	A
2.0 Petrol	2020–2021	3,305	91.8%	Beats 97%	A
3.5 Petrol	1986–1989	3,201	64.9%	Beats 30%	D
5.0 Petrol	2021–2022	2,396	91.6%	Beats 89%	A
3.0 Petrol	2020–2022	2,259	91.2%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Hybrid	2022–2022	1,686	91.5%	Beats 94%	A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 17.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

17.8% vs 16.1%

Suspension

9.8% vs 12.2%

Brakes

9.0% vs 10.2%

Steering

8.0% vs 3.4%

Body & structure

7.4% vs 6.9%

Visibility

6.7% vs 6.3%

Emissions & leaks

2.7% vs 5.1%

Tyres

2.1% vs 5.6%

Seat belts & airbags

1.5% vs 2.2%

Wheels

0.1% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Shock absorbers 2.5× typical
Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
Track rod ends 1.8× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
Wheel bearings 2.0× typical
Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Windscreen washers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Land Rover DefenderTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	4.5%	4.4%	1.0×
Sidelights	4.2%	3.8%	1.1×
Brake lights	3.9%	3.1%	1.3×
Windscreen washers	3.5%	2.9%	1.2×
Shock absorbers	3.4%	1.3%	2.5×
Track rod ends	3.1%	1.8%	1.8×
Windscreen wipers	3.0%	2.9%	1.0×
Rear fog light	2.8%	1.5%	1.8×
Brake pipes	2.7%	1.7%	1.6×
Headlight bulbs & units	2.2%	2.9%	0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	44.9
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	35.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	35.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	32.9
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play	28.1
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	27.9
A shock absorber bush excessively worn	27.1
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	25.9

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Land Rover Defender1 engine92.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	6,997	92.5%	Beats 99%	A

2022 Land Rover Defender4 engines91.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	13,067	91.9%	Beats 96%	A
2.0 Hybrid	1,686	91.5%	Beats 94%	A
5.0 Petrol	1,395	91.5%	Beats 88%	A
3.0 Petrol	1,104	91.9%	Beats 92%	A

2021 Land Rover Defender4 engines91.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Diesel	18,505	91.2%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,940	91.9%	Beats 96%	A
2.0 Diesel	1,203	88.9%	Beats 84%	A
5.0 Petrol	1,001	91.8%	Beats 92%	A

2020 Land Rover Defender3 engines89.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	12,486	88.9%	Beats 87%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,365	91.7%	Beats 98%	A
3.0 Petrol	1,155	90.5%	Beats 92%	A

2016 Land Rover Defender1 engine83.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	14,002	83.3%	Beats 30%	D

2015 Land Rover Defender1 engine80.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	58,406	80.1%	Beats 36%	D

2014 Land Rover Defender1 engine76.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	51,463	76.8%	Beats 44%	C

2013 Land Rover Defender1 engine73.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	38,202	73.4%	Beats 46%	C

2012 Land Rover Defender3 engines71.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	22,929	72.0%	Beats 54%	C
2.4 Diesel	8,918	70.6%	Beats 52%	C
2.5 Diesel	2,507	67.5%	Beats 36%	D

2011 Land Rover Defender3 engines69.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	31,971	69.6%	Beats 62%	B
2.2 Diesel	1,919	71.4%	Beats 62%	B
2.5 Diesel	1,690	65.0%	Beats 37%	D

2010 Land Rover Defender2 engines68.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	33,490	68.6%	Beats 68%	B
2.5 Diesel	2,011	66.0%	Beats 61%	B

2009 Land Rover Defender2 engines66.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	27,872	66.5%	Beats 68%	B
2.5 Diesel	3,148	68.9%	Beats 76%	B

2008 Land Rover Defender2 engines66.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	29,850	66.9%	Beats 77%	B
2.5 Diesel	3,357	67.5%	Beats 78%	B

2007 Land Rover Defender2 engines66.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	28,074	66.3%	Beats 79%	B
2.5 Diesel	7,221	64.6%	Beats 73%	B

2006 Land Rover Defender1 engine64.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	33,301	64.3%	Beats 75%	B

2005 Land Rover Defender1 engine64.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	36,422	64.6%	Beats 80%	A

2004 Land Rover Defender1 engine63.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	37,501	63.5%	Beats 80%	A

2003 Land Rover Defender1 engine62.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	39,228	62.4%	Beats 78%	B

2002 Land Rover Defender1 engine62.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	34,846	62.6%	Beats 78%	B

2001 Land Rover Defender1 engine60.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	28,498	60.6%	Beats 69%	B

2000 Land Rover Defender1 engine60.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	26,898	60.5%	Beats 66%	B

1999 Land Rover Defender1 engine61.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	26,570	61.2%	Beats 64%	B

1998 Land Rover Defender1 engine61.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	28,631	61.7%	Beats 61%	B

1997 Land Rover Defender1 engine61.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	30,131	61.5%	Beats 59%	C

1996 Land Rover Defender1 engine60.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	31,783	60.8%	Beats 54%	C

1995 Land Rover Defender1 engine60.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	26,527	60.5%	Beats 45%	C

1994 Land Rover Defender1 engine60.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	21,263	60.2%	Beats 39%	D

1993 Land Rover Defender1 engine60.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	16,875	60.9%	Beats 39%	D

1992 Land Rover Defender1 engine61.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	13,152	61.2%	Beats 37%	D

1991 Land Rover Defender1 engine62.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	14,769	62.2%	Beats 35%	D

1990 Land Rover Defender1 engine62.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	13,031	62.1%	Beats 30%	D

1989 Land Rover Defender2 engines62.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	14,823	62.6%	Beats 31%	D
3.5 Petrol	1,150	63.7%	Beats 26%	D

1988 Land Rover Defender1 engine61.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	11,207	61.9%	Beats 26%	D

1987 Land Rover Defender2 engines62.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	12,041	62.5%	Beats 30%	D
3.5 Petrol	1,005	65.6%	Beats 30%	D

1986 Land Rover Defender2 engines64.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	12,113	64.0%	Beats 32%	D
3.5 Petrol	1,046	65.7%	Beats 33%	D

1985 Land Rover Defender1 engine65.5% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	8,658	65.5%	Beats 36%	D

1984 Land Rover Defender1 engine66.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,255	66.5%	Beats 41%	C

FAQ

What is the Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate?

68.0% of MOT tests on the Land Rover Defender were passed first time, based on 954,658 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1984–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 65.2% of the time.

Is the Land Rover Defender reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 63% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Land Rover Defender year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2021 Defender does best for its age and mileage: it beats 96% of cars on UK roads. The 2015 does worst: it beats 36%.

Which Land Rover Defender engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 97% of cars on UK roads. The 2.2 Diesel does worst: it beats 43%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, sidelights, brake lights. Compared with similar cars, shock absorbers comes up 2.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Land Rover Defender reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ