1990 · 34 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1990 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

1,538 MOT tests in 2024. 64.9% passed first time, compared with 72.0% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time64.9%
Failed or needed repairs35.1%
Typical mileage at test140,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,538 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rear fog lamp: not working4.3%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.4%
  4. Horn: not working2.9%
  5. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.7%
  6. Washers: not working2.5%
  7. Individual direction indicators: not working2.4%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.2%
  10. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics42.0%
  2. Brakes16.8%
  3. Body & chassis16.3%
  4. Suspension15.9%
  5. Steering10.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks5.4%
  8. Tyres1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine23.5%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play10.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.9%
  4. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission7.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rear fog lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Defender years1991 Defender →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 64.9% of 1990 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,538 tests. The average for all 34-year-old cars was 72.0%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1990 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were rear fog lamp: not working; position lamp: not working; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1990 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).