LAND ROVER DEFENDER Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,039 MOT tests from 274 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every LAND ROVER DEFENDER has the same fault.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 558/999. The score was calculated from the average of every LAND ROVER DEFENDER that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the LAND ROVER DEFENDER.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER (example)

Check a Land Rover Defender before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
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Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	739/999Very good	94,603 miles	2,732 vehicles
N/A	N/A	733/999Very good	100,589 miles	800 vehicles
N/A	N/A	691/999Good	90,973 miles	5,135 vehicles
N/A	N/A	623/999Good	114,905 miles	1,595 vehicles
N/A	N/A	599/999Above average	86,215 miles	3,519 vehicles
N/A	N/A	598/999Above average	114,714 miles	921 vehicles
N/A	N/A	584/999Above average	130,993 miles	2,609 vehicles
N/A	N/A	568/999Above average	128,555 miles	4,745 vehicles
N/A	N/A	557/999Above average	127,543 miles	5,349 vehicles
N/A	N/A	541/999Above average	125,976 miles	3,801 vehicles
N/A	N/A	517/999Above average	88,748 miles	2,353 vehicles
N/A	N/A	504/999Above average	107,389 miles	531 vehicles
N/A	N/A	482/999Average	103,649 miles	827 vehicles
N/A	N/A	443/999Average	117,990 miles	2,925 vehicles
N/A	N/A	441/999Average	114,195 miles	3,089 vehicles
N/A	N/A	435/999Average	113,171 miles	2,918 vehicles
N/A	N/A	428/999Average	107,749 miles	2,556 vehicles

How reliable is the LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

Based on 2,039 MOT tests from 274 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

274

MOT tests

2,039

Pass rate

72.3%

Median mileage

65,105 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every LAND ROVER DEFENDER has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 881 out of 999.

Common LAND ROVER DEFENDER MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 135 advisory comments and 93 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE SLIGHTLY CORRODED (3.6.B.2C)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 110 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 56 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 54 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE STOP LAMP NOT WORKING (1.2.1B)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 41 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (8.2.3)

Seatbelt faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 38 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a seatbelt that did not latch, retract, or meet the inspection standard.

What to inspect

Buckle every belt and confirm it locks and releases.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WEBBING SLIGHTLY DAMAGED OR FRAYED (7.1.2 (B) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 29 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE LEVER HAS NO RESERVE TRAVEL (3.1.6B)

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 14 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.2.B.1F)

LAND ROVER DEFENDER MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	29	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	27	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	25	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	24	20	95%	Tyre wear
2022	24	45	93.3%	Tyre wear
2021	28	90	92.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	23	86	86%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
1998	6	119	73.1%	Corrosion, Oil leak
1997	8	186	67.7%	Corrosion, Lamp and bulb faults
1996	7	184	73.4%	Corrosion, Oil leak
1995	5	147	62.6%	Corrosion, Coil spring issues
1992	5	128	66.4%	Corrosion, Coil spring issues
1991	6	121	64.5%	Corrosion, Coil spring issues
1990	6	99	66.7%	Corrosion, Windscreen damage
1988	6	95	65.3%	Corrosion, Seatbelt faults

What to check when buying a used LAND ROVER DEFENDER

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Seatbelt faults. Buckle every belt and confirm it locks and releases.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Buying a LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

Common problems tell you what can affect LAND ROVER DEFENDERs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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