2023 Land Rover Defender: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Land Rover Defenders, from 520 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2023 Land Rover Defender MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- 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 mirrors2% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Brakes2% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts1% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Lights and electrics1% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9,866 | Tyres 17% |
| 2021 | 8,620 | Tyres 16% |
| 2020 | 4,215 | Tyres 19% |
| 2016 | 1,766 | Lights and electrics 15% |
| 2015 | 6,477 | Lights and electrics 21% |
| 2014 | 5,687 | Lights and electrics 25% |
| 2013 | 4,240 | Lights and electrics 26% |
| 2012 | 3,781 | Brakes 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% |
| 1999 | 2,841 | Suspension 38% |
| 1998 | 3,352 | Lights and electrics 38% |
| 1997 | 3,226 | Suspension 37% |
| 1996 | 3,328 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 1995 | 2,764 | Lights and electrics 40% |
| 1994 | 2,206 | Lights and electrics 40% |
| 1993 | 1,753 | Lights and electrics 36% |
| 1992 | 1,444 | Lights and electrics 35% |
| 1991 | 1,610 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 1990 | 1,554 | Lights and electrics 36% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Land Rover Defenders registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score