Land Rover Defender MOT Results

Registered in 1990
60.0% pass rate
from 1,762 tests in 2021
(28% worse than other 1990 cars)
Pass rate by mileage
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for 1990 cars and highlighted areas where the Land Rover Defender is unusually good or bad.

  • 22% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (54% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 6.4% fail on Direction indicators (93% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 6.4% fail on Flashing type (93% worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 3.9% fail on Individual direction indicators (110% worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 1.9% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.62% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.17% fail on Switch
    • 5.7% fail on Stop lamp (130% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 5.2% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (91% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 5.2% fail on Rear fog lamp (91% worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 5.2% fail on Rear fog lamp (91% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 4.9% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 4.7% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.23% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 3.5% fail on Headlamps
      • 3.3% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.17% fail on Dipswitch
    • 2.6% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (79% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 2.6% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 2.1% fail on Horn (87% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Electrical wiring
      • 0.17% fail on Trailer electrical socket (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Battery(ies) (79% better than other 1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Rear reflectors (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.96% fail on Hazard warning (130% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.96% fail on Switch (130% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.51% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.34% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
      • 0.17% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.45% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.40% fail on Position lamp
      • 0.057% fail on Switch
  • 13% fail on Body, chassis, structure (55% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Chassis (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 3.7% fail on Chassis condition (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 3.2% fail on Exhaust system
    • 2.5% fail on Transmission
      • 2.3% fail on Prop shafts (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 1.3% fail on Joints (4 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.96% fail on Prop shaft (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.057% fail on Bearing housing
      • 0.11% fail on Halfshafts (10 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.057% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.057% fail on Drive shaft
    • 2.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 2.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 1.3% fail on Doors (130% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.79% fail on Front passenger's door (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.79% fail on Door condition (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Driver's door (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.45% fail on Door condition (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.11% fail on Door condition
    • 1.0% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.40% fail on Tank (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.28% fail on Pipe
      • 0.23% fail on Hose
      • 0.11% fail on System
      • 0.057% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
    • 0.96% fail on Seats
      • 0.62% fail on Driver's seat
      • 0.45% fail on Passenger's seat
    • 0.62% fail on Body
      • 0.23% fail on Mounting fixings (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Other body component
      • 0.17% fail on Panel
    • 0.51% fail on Cabs (4 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Prescribed areas (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.057% fail on Steps
    • 0.28% fail on Towbar (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on Other towbar components (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on Vehicle structure
      • 0.057% fail on Coupling
    • 0.28% fail on Floor
    • 0.23% fail on Bumpers
  • 12% fail on Suspension (30% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 4.3% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 3.2% fail on Wheel bearings (100% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 2.6% fail on Suspension arms
      • 1.8% fail on Pins and bushes (160% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.51% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.34% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint (78% better than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.057% fail on Suspension arm
    • 1.9% fail on Axles (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 1.5% fail on Swivel pins and bushes (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.28% fail on Swivel joints/housing (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on King pins
      • 0.057% fail on Axle
    • 0.96% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.91% fail on Other suspension component (160% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Pins and bushes (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.11% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.057% fail on Other suspension component
    • 0.85% fail on Springs
      • 0.51% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.34% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.23% fail on Coil spring (70% better than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.11% fail on Mounting
      • 0.057% fail on Bonded suspension units
        • 0.057% fail on Bonded suspension unit
    • 0.85% fail on Anti-roll bars
      • 0.34% fail on Linkage pins and bushes
      • 0.11% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.11% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.11% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.11% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.11% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.057% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.68% fail on Suspension rods (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Pins and bushes (4 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Suspension rod (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.057% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.057% fail on Ball joint dust cover
  • 12% fail on Steering (200% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 8.9% fail on Steering linkage components (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 3.9% fail on Track rod end (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Ball joint (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Drag link end (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.74% fail on Other components (8 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.51% fail on Steering linkage (9 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.23% fail on Steering component (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.40% fail on Intermediate drop arm (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.40% fail on Locking devices (180% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Steering arm (10 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 2.0% fail on Power steering (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.91% fail on Other components (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.51% fail on Operation (180% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Pipes and hoses
      • 0.28% fail on Pump (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Rams (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.74% fail on Steering play (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.74% fail on Steering box (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.68% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.68% fail on Steering box (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.51% fail on Prescribed areas (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.34% fail on Steering wheel (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.23% fail on Steering coupling (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Universal joint (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.11% fail on Steering column
  • 11% fail on Brakes
    • 6.2% fail on Brake performance
      • 2.7% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp)
        • 2.1% fail on Rbt (sp)
          • 1.5% fail on Service brake imbalance
          • 0.91% fail on Service brake performance
        • 0.57% fail on Decelerometer (sp) (4 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Service brake performance
        • 2.2% fail on Rbt
          • 1.8% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.68% fail on Service brake imbalance
          • 0.057% fail on Service brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
        • 0.28% fail on Decelerometer (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
          • 0.28% fail on Service brake performance (6 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 1.3% fail on Decelerometer (sp) (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Rbt (sp) (63% better than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.057% fail on Gradient tester (sp)
      • 0.45% fail on Brake performance not tested
      • 0.34% fail on Parking brake performance (71% better than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.34% fail on Rbt (71% better than other 1990 cars)
          • 0.34% fail on Parking brake performance (66% better than other 1990 cars)
    • 2.7% fail on Mechanical brake components (170% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Brake discs and drums (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 1.2% fail on Brake discs (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.57% fail on Brake drums (8 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Brake linings and pads (140% worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.91% fail on Brake pads (120% worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.17% fail on Brake linings (4 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.11% fail on Linkage
        • 0.057% fail on Cable
    • 2.4% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 1.2% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever (160% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.91% fail on Pedal (190% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.51% fail on Other components and prescribed areas (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Prescribed areas (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.40% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.057% fail on Other braking system component
      • 0.057% fail on Other components
    • 0.40% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.40% fail on Lever
    • 0.34% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.17% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.17% fail on Servos
    • 0.17% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.11% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
      • 0.057% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.11% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.057% fail on Reservoirs
      • 0.057% fail on Brake fluid
  • 8.6% fail on Visibility (27% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 5.0% fail on Washers
    • 4.0% fail on Wipers
    • 0.85% fail on Bonnet (4 times worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.057% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.057% fail on Windscreen
    • 0.057% fail on View to rear
      • 0.057% fail on Mirrors
  • 3.2% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (38% better than other 1990 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Exhaust emissions (54% better than other 1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Compression ignition (5 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo (7 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.45% fail on Emissions not tested (2 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.17% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.057% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.057% fail on Exhaust gas recirculation valve
      • 0.45% fail on Spark ignition (90% better than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.34% fail on Non catalyst emissions (90% better than other 1990 cars)
        • 0.11% fail on Emissions not tested (81% better than other 1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Fluid leaks (92% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.62% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.23% fail on Transmission oil leaks (3 times worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Other leaks
      • 0.057% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
  • 2.4% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 2.4% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.6% fail on Condition (190% worse than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.68% fail on Prescribed areas (57% better than other 1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Attachment
      • 0.17% fail on Requirements
  • 1.9% fail on Tyres
    • 1.2% fail on Condition
    • 0.57% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.17% fail on Size/type
  • 1.8% fail on Identification of the vehicle (140% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 1.6% fail on Registration plates (140% worse than other 1990 cars)
    • 0.11% fail on Vehicle Identification Number
  • 0.51% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.40% fail on Attachment
    • 0.057% fail on Condition
    • 0.057% fail on Hubs
  • 0.23% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.23% fail on Speedometer
  • 0.057% fail on Buses and coaches supplementary tests
    • 0.057% fail on Steps and stairs
      • 0.057% fail on Steps
Read the Honest John Review

  • Land Rover Defender (1984 - 2016)
    The ultimate 4x4. Simply unstoppable off-road. Body panels easy to replace. Latest 2.2-litre diesel offers strong pulling power. Retains its resale value like no other utility vehicle.

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