1996 · 28 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1996 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

3,329 MOT tests in 2024. 62.9% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time62.9%
Failed or needed repairs37.1%
Typical mileage at test149,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,329 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rear fog lamp: not working4.1%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.3%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.0%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  5. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.5%
  6. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.4%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.4%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.4%
  9. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.3%
  10. Wheel bearings: has excessive play2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics36.3%
  2. Body & chassis17.9%
  3. Suspension17.3%
  4. Brakes13.5%
  5. Steering13.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.1%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.4%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play12.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.1%
  5. Seat belts - condition: webbing significantly weakened6.8%

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: rear fog 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 1996 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 62.9% of 1996 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,329 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Land Rover Defender?

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

Is the 1996 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).