What are the common problems with the 3-5 year old Land Rover Defender?

The top failure areas for the 3-5-year-old Land Rover Defender are: Lamps & Electrics (3.6% risk), Tyres (1.8% risk), Brakes (1.2% risk).

Land Rover Defender MOT Failure Rate — 3-5 Years Old

9.2%

MOT failure rate for 3-5-year-old Land Rover Defender vehicles

Based on 28,212 MOT tests

18.8pp below the UK average (28%)

This model is exceptionally reliable for its age. Only 9.2% of Land Rover Defender vehicles in this age bracket fail their MOT.

Component Risk Breakdown (3-5 Years)

Which parts of a 3-5-year-old Land Rover Defender are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Lamps & Electrics 3.6%

Tyres 1.8%

Brakes 1.2%

Visibility 1.2%

Suspension 1.0%

Body & Chassis 0.4%

Steering 0.4%

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 3-5 year old Land Rover Defender reliable?

Yes. Based on 28,212 MOT tests, 3-5-year-old Land Rover Defender vehicles have a 9.2% failure rate, which is below the UK average of 28%. This is a reliable choice at this age.

What are the common MOT failures on a 3-5 year old Land Rover Defender?

The most common MOT failure areas at this age are:

Lamps & Electrics — 3.6% failure risk
Tyres — 1.8% failure risk
Brakes — 1.2% failure risk

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

For a 3-5-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 3-5-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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