1993 · 31 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1993 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

1,828 MOT tests in 2024. 64.7% passed first time, compared with 67.5% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time64.7%
Failed or needed repairs35.3%
Typical mileage at test137,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,828 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  2. Rear fog lamp: not working3.6%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.5%
  4. Stop lamp: not working3.3%
  5. Individual direction indicators: not working2.8%
  6. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.6%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  8. Wheel bearings: has excessive play2.1%
  9. Washers: not working2.0%
  10. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics42.7%
  2. Brakes16.4%
  3. Suspension15.4%
  4. Body & chassis15.4%
  5. Steering13.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.1%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine23.1%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play10.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.9%
  4. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission8.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 1992 DefenderAll Defender years1994 Defender →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1993 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 64.7% of 1993 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,828 tests. The average for all 31-year-old cars was 67.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1993 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rear fog lamp: not working; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1993 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).