2016 Land Rover Defender: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Land Rover Defenders, from 1,766 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Land Rover Defenders than on all cars registered in 2016.
- Rigid brake pipes3.1× usualLand Rover Defender5.9% All 2016 cars1.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
- Seat belts5.5× usualLand Rover Defender4.4% All 2016 cars0.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£250 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.
- Sidelights2.9× usualLand Rover Defender4% All 2016 cars1.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Transmission oil leaks5.4× usualLand Rover Defender2.7% All 2016 cars0.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Tread depth: 3.6% here, against 19.2% of all 2016 cars. Tyre condition: 3.4% here, against 13.3% of all 2016 cars.
By area
The share of 2016 Land Rover Defender MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Lights and electrics15% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes12% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Suspension12% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Tyres7% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors7% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Oil and fluid leaks4% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9,421 | Tyres 16% |
| 2021 | 8,189 | Tyres 16% |
| 2020 | 3,926 | Tyres 18% |
| 2015 | 6,477 | Lights and electrics 21% |
| 2014 | 5,687 | Lights and electrics 25% |
| 2013 | 4,240 | Lights and electrics 26% |
| 2012 | 3,781 | Suspension 28% |
| 2011 | 3,869 | Suspension 31% |
| 2010 | 3,826 | Suspension 33% |
| 2009 | 3,347 | Suspension 33% |
| 2008 | 3,601 | Suspension 35% |
| 2007 | 3,833 | Suspension 38% |
| 2006 | 3,676 | Suspension 37% |
| 2005 | 4,057 | Suspension 38% |
| 2004 | 4,136 | Suspension 39% |
| 2003 | 4,236 | Suspension 40% |
| 2002 | 3,706 | Suspension 39% |
| 2001 | 3,012 | Suspension 37% |
| 2000 | 2,890 | Suspension 39% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Land Rover Defenders registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score