2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

4,140 MOT tests in 2024. 65.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time65.0%
Failed or needed repairs35.0%
Typical mileage at test115,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,140 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush4.1%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.7%
  3. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  4. Rear fog lamp: not working2.5%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play2.4%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.2%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.1%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.0%
  10. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.5%
  2. Suspension17.8%
  3. Brakes16.2%
  4. Steering12.7%
  5. Body & chassis10.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.8%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.8%
  8. Tyres2.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.7%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.1%
  3. Wheel bearings: has excessive play9.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.1%
  5. Seat belts - condition: webbing significantly weakened7.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush. 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 2004 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 65.0% of 2004 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,140 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).