2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

3,834 MOT tests in 2024. 68.3% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time68.3%
Failed or needed repairs31.7%
Typical mileage at test77,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,834 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working3.9%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush3.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.2%
  4. Stop lamp: not working2.1%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.9%
  6. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements1.8%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
  8. Reversing lamps: inoperative1.6%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics25.8%
  2. Brakes12.8%
  3. Suspension10.6%
  4. Steering9.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  6. Body & chassis3.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.9%
  8. Tyres2.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.8%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.8%
  3. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush8.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.5%
  5. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission5.5%

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: position 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 2011 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 68.3% of 2011 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,834 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Land Rover Defender?

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

Is the 2011 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).