2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

3,795 MOT tests in 2024. 69.1% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

116Well above average
Passed first time69.1%
Failed or needed repairs30.9%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,795 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.5%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush3.1%
  3. Position lamp: not working2.4%
  4. Stop lamp: not working2.1%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  7. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements1.6%
  8. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.6%
  10. Reversing lamps: inoperative1.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics24.0%
  2. Brakes14.5%
  3. Suspension11.1%
  4. Steering10.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.0%
  6. Body & chassis5.4%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.0%
  8. Tyres1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.0%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.5%
  3. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush9.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.2%
  5. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission5.9%

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: rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. 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 2010 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 69.1% of 2010 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,795 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Land Rover Defender?

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

Is the 2010 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).