At a Glance
The Land Rover Defender has 122 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Classic (1948-2016) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 2.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Land Rover Defender common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Land Rover Defender generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Land Rover Defender owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Land Rover Defender owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Land Rover Defender?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Land Rover Defender Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Land Rover Defender MOT Failures
Every reason Land Rover Defender vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp not working | 8.93% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.84% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 5.25% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.25% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 5.07% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.39% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.95% |
| 8 | Position lamp not working | 3.83% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.63% |
| 10 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.99% |
| 11 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.98% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.73% |
| 13 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.67% |
| 14 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 2.64% |
| 15 | Track rod end worn | 2.25% |
| 16 | Indicator fault | 2.07% |
| 17 | Chassis condition | 1.96% |
| 18 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.64% |
| 19 | Fog lamp not working | 1.56% |
| 20 | Rear suspension fault | 1.47% |
| 21 | Tyre condition | 1.43% |
| 22 | Parking brake condition | 1.35% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.32% |
| 24 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.31% |
| 25 | Seat belt condition | 1.16% |
| 26 | Headlamp fault | 0.99% |
| 27 | Horn not working | 0.81% |
| 28 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.81% |
| 29 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.79% |
| 30 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.75% |
| 31 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.73% |
| 32 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.71% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.62% |
| 35 | Front suspension fault | 0.61% |
| 36 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.56% |
| 37 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.52% |
| 38 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.50% |
| 39 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.43% |
| 40 | Electrical switch fault | 0.43% |
| 41 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.43% |
| 42 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.40% |
| 43 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.40% |
| 44 | Drag link end worn | 0.38% |
| 45 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.33% |
| 46 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.33% |
| 47 | Brake pedal fault | 0.32% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.31% |
| 49 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.29% |
| 50 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.29% |
| 51 | Engine oil leak | 0.29% |
| 52 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.24% |
| 53 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.24% |
| 54 | Steering box fault | 0.23% |
| 55 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.21% |
| 56 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.19% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.18% |
| 58 | Steering operation fault | 0.17% |
| 59 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.17% |
| 60 | Steering coupling worn | 0.16% |
| 61 | Steering free play excessive | 0.16% |
| 62 | Steering lock fault | 0.16% |
| 63 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.16% |
| 64 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.15% |
| 65 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.14% |
| 66 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 67 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 68 | Driveshaft fault | 0.13% |
| 69 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.13% |
| 70 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.13% |
| 71 | Power steering pump fault | 0.12% |
| 72 | Transmission oil leak | 0.12% |
| 73 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.11% |
| 74 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 75 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.11% |
| 76 | Exhaust leak | 0.11% |
| 77 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.11% |
| 78 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.11% |
| 79 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.10% |
| 80 | Towbar fault | 0.10% |
| 81 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 82 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 83 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.09% |
| 84 | Front passenger door fault | 0.08% |
| 85 | Passenger seat fault | 0.07% |
| 86 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 87 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.06% |
| 88 | Universal joint worn | 0.06% |
| 89 | Driver door fault | 0.06% |
| 90 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.06% |
| 91 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 92 | Driver seat fault | 0.05% |
| 93 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 94 | Power steering ram fault | 0.05% |
| 95 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.05% |
| 96 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.05% |
| 97 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.05% |
| 98 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 99 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 100 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 101 | Speedometer fault | 0.04% |
| 102 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 103 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 104 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 105 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 106 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 107 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.03% |
| 108 | Steering damper fault | 0.03% |
| 109 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 110 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 111 | Brake servo fault | 0.03% |
| 112 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 113 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.02% |
| 114 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 115 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.02% |
| 116 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 118 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 119 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 120 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 122 | Stub axle worn | 0.02% |
| 123 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 124 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 125 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 126 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Steering rack fault | 0.01% |
| 129 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 130 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 131 | Step damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 132 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 133 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 134 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 135 | Halfshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 136 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Airbag warning light on | <0.01% |
| 141 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 145 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 152 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 159 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 160 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 171 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 173 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 182 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 185 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 187 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 188 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 189 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 192 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 193 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 194 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 195 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 196 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 200 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 201 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 202 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 203 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 204 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 204 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Land Rover Defender MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Land Rover Defender, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Land Rover Defender problems?
Based on analysis of 2.1M Land Rover Defender MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 122 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Shock absorber worn or leaking". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Land Rover Defender generation has the most problems?
The Land Rover Defender Classic (1948-2016) (1948–2016) has the highest number of identified common problems (162). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Land Rover Defender?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Land Rover Defender owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
