2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

4,049 MOT tests in 2024. 65.3% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

116Well above average
Passed first time65.3%
Failed or needed repairs34.7%
Typical mileage at test108,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,049 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush3.4%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.9%
  4. Stop lamp: not working2.4%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.9%
  7. Rear fog lamp: not working1.9%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.8%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
  10. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.9%
  2. Suspension15.6%
  3. Brakes15.5%
  4. Steering11.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.9%
  6. Body & chassis8.8%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.0%
  8. Tyres1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.7%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.8%
  3. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush8.0%
  4. Wheel bearings: has excessive play8.0%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.8%

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 2005 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 65.3% of 2005 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,049 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Land Rover Defender?

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

Is the 2005 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 116, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).