2015 · 9 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2015 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

6,407 MOT tests in 2024. 79.9% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time79.9%
Failed or needed repairs20.1%
Typical mileage at test43,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 6,407 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.5%
  3. Stop lamp: not working2.3%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.2%
  5. Headlamp aim: too high1.3%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.1%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
    90 marked dangerous
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics17.5%
  2. Brakes6.2%
  3. Suspension4.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.5%
  5. Steering2.1%
  6. Tyres1.5%
  7. Body & chassis1.1%
  8. Emissions & leaks1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.7%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush7.4%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. 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 2015 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 79.9% of 2015 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 6,407 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush; stop lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2015 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).