1997 · 27 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1997 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

3,249 MOT tests in 2024. 64.7% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time64.7%
Failed or needed repairs35.3%
Typical mileage at test141,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,249 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rear fog lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.4%
  3. Wheel bearings: has excessive play2.9%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.7%
  6. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.4%
  7. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.3%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  9. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements2.2%
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.5%
  2. Suspension17.5%
  3. Body & chassis16.0%
  4. Brakes13.5%
  5. Steering13.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine26.3%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play13.7%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.1%
  5. Seat belts - condition: webbing significantly weakened6.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. 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 1997 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 64.7% of 1997 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,249 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 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; wheel bearings: has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1997 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).