1994 · 30 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1994 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

2,235 MOT tests in 2024. 61.9% passed first time, compared with 67.5% for all cars the same age.

92Well below average
Passed first time61.9%
Failed or needed repairs38.1%
Typical mileage at test140,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,235 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.5%
  2. Rear fog lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.9%
  4. Individual direction indicators: not working3.6%
  5. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  7. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.9%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.8%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  10. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics44.6%
  2. Body & chassis18.4%
  3. Suspension17.1%
  4. Steering15.0%
  5. Brakes13.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.9%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.6%
  8. Tyres2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.3%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play11.1%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.8%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.4%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 61.9% of 1994 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,235 tests. The average for all 30-year-old cars was 67.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1994 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 1994 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).