2016 · 8 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2016 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

1,711 MOT tests in 2024. 83.3% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time83.3%
Failed or needed repairs16.7%
Typical mileage at test30,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,711 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.0%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
    32 marked dangerous
  5. Headlamp aim: too high1.2%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.0%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded0.9%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.8%
    21 marked dangerous
  9. Stop lamp: not working0.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.0%
  2. Brakes3.9%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.7%
  4. Suspension3.6%
  5. Tyres1.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.2%
  7. Steering1.0%
  8. Body & chassis0.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush5.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.6%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.9%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%

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 2016 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 83.3% of 2016 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,711 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2016 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).