1991 · 33 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1991 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

1,644 MOT tests in 2024. 66.7% passed first time, compared with 71.1% for all cars the same age.

94Below average
Passed first time66.7%
Failed or needed repairs33.3%
Typical mileage at test141,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,644 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Rear fog lamp: not working3.3%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.9%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  5. Stop lamp: not working2.5%
  6. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.4%
  7. Horn: not working2.1%
  8. Washers: not working2.1%
  9. Individual direction indicators: not working2.1%
  10. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics37.8%
  2. Body & chassis16.4%
  3. Suspension15.2%
  4. Brakes13.9%
  5. Steering12.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  8. Tyres1.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.6%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play11.6%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.5%
  4. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission9.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.6%

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: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 66.7% of 1991 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,644 tests. The average for all 33-year-old cars was 71.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1991 Land Rover Defender?

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

Is the 1991 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 94, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).