2021 · 3 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2021 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

8,387 MOT tests in 2024. 92.0% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time92.0%
Failed or needed repairs8.0%
Typical mileage at test29,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 8,387 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%
  2. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.6%
  3. Headlamp aim: too high0.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.5%
    60 marked dangerous
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.4%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.4%
    46 marked dangerous
  7. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault0.4%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
  9. Position lamp: not working0.3%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.3%
    36 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres3.5%
  2. Lights & electrics1.9%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.0%
  4. Number plates & VIN1.0%
  5. Brakes0.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.5%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.5%
  8. Suspension0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.3%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%
  5. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre1.8%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 DefenderAll Defender years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 92.0% of 2021 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 8,387 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements; headlamp aim: too high. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).