Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate for cars first registered 2011–2016 is 80% across 235,065 official UK DVSA tests. This report then covers more than 397,492 recorded defect notes for Land Rover Defender models in that registration band. It shows common faults, MOT pass rates and maintenance trends to help you research the model before you buy.
Unlike a registration check, this report analyses how thousands of similar Land Rover Defender models have performed at MOT over time — not just one vehicle.
- 80%
- MOT pass rateshare of recorded tests that passed
- 235k
- MOT tests analysed235,065 official DVSA records
- 397k
- defect notes recorded397,492 · advisory to dangerous
- 2011–16
- registration yearssnapshot 26 September 2026
A fleet outcome for Land Rover Defender models registered 2011–2016 — not a reliability score, and not a verdict on one car. Always check the specific vehicle.
Key findings
What the MOT record says about the Land Rover Defender
- 80% MOT pass rate across 235,065 tests.
- 53% of recorded defect notes relate to owner maintenance.
- Shock absorber condition accounts for a leading share of recorded MOT issues.
- Brake-pipe deterioration is the most common recurring systemic issue in this extract.
- Headlamp alignment appears throughout the vehicle's life, from low to higher mileages.
Failure breakdown
How Land Rover Defender MOT failures break down
Share of recorded defect notes by category in this age band — not MOT tests and not number of vehicles.
- 52.6%Owner maintenance209,053 notes
- 14.8%Wear & tear58,804 notes
- 13.7%Systemic54,521 notes
- 18.9%Other75,114 notes
Advisory
276,855
70% of notes
Minor
24,588
6% of notes
Major
86,519
22% of notes
Dangerous
9,530
2% of notes
Most common owner-maintenance faults
DVSA wording grouped as owner maintenance for this model and age band.
- 1
Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush
21,242 notes5.3.2 (c)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
- Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
- Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 2
Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
17,019 notes5.2.3 (e)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Tread is close to (or at) the legal minimum, or wear is concentrated on an edge. That often points to alignment, pressure or suspension issues as well as simple age.
Why it happens
- Under-inflation, poor alignment, aggressive driving or simply delayed replacement push tread below a safe/legal profile.
Buyer tip
- Measure tread across the full width, check tyre age (DOT date) and look for uneven inner-edge wear.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 3
Headlamp aim too low
9,064 notes4.1.2 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This MOT defect usually indicates incorrect headlamp alignment following adjustment, suspension movement or repair work.
Why it happens
- Aim drifts after suspension work, bumper repairs, bulb changes or simply from road vibration over time.
Buyer tip
- Check beam alignment during inspection and ask whether the lamps were aimed after any recent suspension or bodywork.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 4
Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush
3,970 notes2.7.4What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
- Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
- Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 5
Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed
3,913 notes7.1.2 (b)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Seat-belt webbing is frayed or lightly damaged, which can weaken the belt in a crash.
Why it happens
- Abrasion at guides, trapped belts or age fray the webbing fibres.
Buyer tip
- Pull each belt fully out and inspect for cuts, fraying and weak retraction.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 6
Windscreen washer not working
3,891 notes3.5 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Washer jets are not delivering fluid. Testers need a clear screen; empty reservoirs, blocked jets or failed pumps are common.
Why it happens
- Empty bottles, frozen/blocked jets, split pipes or a failed pump stop fluid reaching the screen.
Buyer tip
- Top up fluid, test the jets on the driveway, and check for cracked bottles or split pipes in the engine bay.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 7
Tyre worn close to the legal limit
3,675 notes4.1.E.1What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Tread is close to (or at) the legal minimum, or wear is concentrated on an edge. That often points to alignment, pressure or suspension issues as well as simple age.
Why it happens
- Under-inflation, poor alignment, aggressive driving or simply delayed replacement push tread below a safe/legal profile.
Buyer tip
- Measure tread across the full width, check tyre age (DOT date) and look for uneven inner-edge wear.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 8
Brake pad(s) wearing thin
3,599 notes3.5.1gWhat it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
- These issues often build up when routine checks are skipped between services — tyres, lamps and washers are typical examples.
Buyer tip
- Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
Most common wear & tear faults
DVSA wording grouped as wear and tear for this model and age band.
- 1
Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush
8,062 notes5.3.2 (c)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
- Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
- Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 2
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush
1,838 notes2.7.4What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
- Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
- Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 3
Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush
1,471 notes2.4.G.2What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
- Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
- Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 4
brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
1,076 notes3.5.1iWhat it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A brake disc is contaminated, scored or otherwise not in a serviceable condition for consistent braking.
Why it happens
- Worn pads, rust lip, oil contamination or delayed disc replacement leave an uneven braking surface.
Buyer tip
- Check disc faces through the wheels and ask for pad/disc measurements if the car is due brakes soon.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 5
Ball joint has excessive play
328 notes2.2.B.1fWhat it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
- Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
- Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 6
Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt
248 notes2.2.C.1cWhat it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
- Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
- Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 7
Rear wheel bearing has excessive play
71 notes2.6.2What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
- Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
- Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 8
wheel bearing has excessive play
57 notes2.5.A.3cWhat it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
- Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
- Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
- Usually wear related
Most common systemic faults
DVSA wording grouped as systemic patterns for this model and age band.
- 1
Brake pipe excessively damaged
38,875 notes1.1.11 (c)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A brake pipe is damaged or heavily corroded. Pipe failure can cause sudden loss of braking effort.
Why it happens
- Road salt, stone chips and age corrode metal pipes, especially along the underbody.
Buyer tip
- Inspect metal pipes along the underbody and near calipers; corroded pipes should be replaced before you rely on the car.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 2
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
776 notes8.2.2.2 (g)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
- Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
- Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 3
Brake pipe excessively chafed
682 notes3.6.B.2cWhat it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A brake pipe is damaged or heavily corroded. Pipe failure can cause sudden loss of braking effort.
Why it happens
- Road salt, stone chips and age corrode metal pipes, especially along the underbody.
Buyer tip
- Inspect metal pipes along the underbody and near calipers; corroded pipes should be replaced before you rely on the car.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 4
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
271 notes8.2.1.2 (h)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
- Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
- Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 5
Power steering ram leaking
151 notes2.1.5 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Power steering assistance is malfunctioning, making the car heavier and less predictable to steer.
Why it happens
- Low fluid, pump faults, leaks or electric PAS failures remove assistance.
Buyer tip
- Check fluid (if hydraulic), look for leaks, and verify electric PAS warnings on the dash.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 6
Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread cracked
114 notes0.1 (b)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The number plate is cracked, deteriorated or hard to read. Plates must remain legible and securely fitted.
Why it happens
- Age, stone chips, poor replacements or mounts that flex crack or fade plates.
Buyer tip
- Budget for legal replacement plates; check fixing and any bike-rack or tow-bar obstruction.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 7
Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play
100 notes2.2.2 (c)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Play or wear in a steering-column joint can feel like vagueness or a knock through the wheel.
Why it happens
- Intermediate shaft joints wear with mileage and can develop free play.
Buyer tip
- Have a technician check column UJs and intermediate shafts if you feel notchiness.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 8
Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture
97 notes1.1.11 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A brake pipe is damaged or heavily corroded. Pipe failure can cause sudden loss of braking effort.
Why it happens
- Road salt, stone chips and age corrode metal pipes, especially along the underbody.
Buyer tip
- Inspect metal pipes along the underbody and near calipers; corroded pipes should be replaced before you rely on the car.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
Land Rover Defender research summary
Based on over 235,065 official UK MOT tests, Land Rover Defender models registered between 2011 and 2016 achieve a solid 80% MOT pass rate.
The majority of recorded MOT defects relate to routine owner maintenance, with dampers, tyres and lighting accounting for most common faults seen on used examples in this age band.
Recurring systemic faults occur far less frequently, although brake-pipe deterioration appears consistently across the dataset.
Overall, the data suggests that this generation of Land Rover Defender is more likely to fail MOT due to maintenance items than widespread design faults, making service history and routine upkeep particularly important when buying used. Shoppers comparing a used Land Rover Defender should treat this research summary as model-level context before inspecting any individual car.
What this report cannot tell you
This report describes model-level MOT trends, not the condition of any individual vehicle.
Two identical Land Rover Defender models can have very different maintenance histories.
Use it to understand common patterns before inspecting a specific car — then check that car’s own MOT history.
Year by year
Recent category counts
Defect-note totals by calendar year in the serving extract (not MOT tests, not vehicles, not a prediction).
| Year | Owner maintenance | Wear & tear | Systemic | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,234 | 6,359 | 6,476 | 7,085 |
| 2022 | 22,247 | 7,106 | 7,180 | 7,696 |
| 2023 | 22,502 | 7,474 | 7,913 | 8,013 |
| 2024 | 23,869 | 8,111 | 8,433 | 8,895 |
| 2025 | 24,041 | 8,825 | 8,617 | 10,044 |
| 2026 | 9,444 | 3,441 | 3,288 | 3,907 |
All counts are defect notes.
How we classify MOT faults
We group recorded DVSA defect wording into four research categories to help identify whether issues are more likely to reflect routine maintenance, expected wear, recurring model patterns or miscellaneous inspection outcomes.
- Owner maintenance
- Defects often linked to day-to-day upkeep — tyres, lamps, washers and other items a careful owner can usually prevent or fix promptly.
- Wear & tear
- Age- and mileage-related deterioration that accumulates with normal use, even when a car has been looked after.
- Systemic
- Recurring wording and patterns across the model fleet that may point to design, component or known-model tendencies rather than one careless owner.
- Other
- Inspection outcomes that do not sit cleanly in the three groups above, including mixed or less classifiable defect notes.
Dataset: 235,065 official UK DVSA MOT tests · 397,492 defect notes · 2011–2016 registrations · United Kingdom · snapshot 26 September 2026 · aggregated model-level MOT analysis.
Buying a used Land Rover Defender: practical MOT checks
- 1Walk the car against the highest-volume MOT notes listed in this report.
- 2Ask for a full service history that matches the mileage.
- 3Compare this model with a peer in the same age band, not against a single registration check alone.
- 4Confirm any warning lamps (engine management, ABS, SRS) are investigated, not just cleared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate for 2011–2016?
- In this extract, Land Rover Defender shows a 80% MOT pass rate across 235,065 recorded DVSA tests.
What drives most Land Rover Defender MOT defect notes?
- About 53% of recorded defect notes are classed as owner maintenance.
Is this the same as checking one registration on GOV.UK?
- No. GOV.UK shows one vehicle. This page aggregates MOT outcomes for the Land Rover Defender model in a fixed UK registration age band so you can research the model before you shortlist cars.
Go deeper
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