Land Rover Defender MOT Failure Rate — 15+ Years Old

36.4%
MOT failure rate for 15+-year-old Land Rover Defender vehicles
Based on 296,516 MOT tests
8.4pp above the UK average (28%)

This model shows significant deterioration in this age bracket, with a 36.4% failure rate. Pre-MOT inspection strongly recommended, especially for lamps & electrics.

Component Risk Breakdown (15+ Years)

Which parts of a 15+-year-old Land Rover Defender are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Lamps & Electrics 11.9%
Suspension 7.3%
Body & Chassis 6.7%
Steering 6.0%
Brakes 5.9%
Visibility 4.6%
Tyres 1.1%

How Does This Compare?

Land Rover Defender MOT failure rate across all age groups:

Age Failure Rate Tests Worst Area
0-2 years 7.1% 16,928 Lamps & Electrics
3-5 years 9.2% 28,212 Lamps & Electrics
6-10 years 22.9% 94,291 Lamps & Electrics
11-15 years 31.6% 84,011 Lamps & Electrics
15+ years 36.4% 296,516 Lamps & Electrics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 15+ year old Land Rover Defender reliable?

15+-year-old Land Rover Defender vehicles have a 36.4% failure rate, which is above average. Consider a pre-MOT inspection, particularly checking lamps & electrics.

What are the common MOT failures on a 15+ year old Land Rover Defender?

The most common MOT failure areas at this age are:

  • Lamps & Electrics — 11.9% failure risk
  • Suspension — 7.3% failure risk
  • Body & Chassis — 6.7% failure risk

How can I prepare my Land Rover Defender for its MOT?

For a 15+-year-old Land Rover Defender, focus on: (1) Lamps & Electrics — the most common failure area at this age. (2) Check all lights and bulbs. (3) Inspect tyres for tread depth and damage. (4) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage (£20–£40). You can also use our free prediction tool for a personalised risk breakdown.

Other Land Rover Defender Age Groups

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands for the 15+-year age group, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only combinations with 100+ tests are included. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

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