2020 · 4 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2020 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate and common faults

4,119 MOT tests in 2024. 90.0% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time90.0%
Failed or needed repairs10.0%
Typical mileage at test36,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,119 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
    58 marked dangerous
  3. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.8%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
  5. Position lamp: not working0.8%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
    63 marked dangerous
  7. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault0.5%
  8. Daytime running lamps: not working0.4%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    19 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres4.0%
  2. Lights & electrics2.7%
  3. Brakes1.8%
  4. Emissions & leaks1.0%
  5. Number plates & VIN1.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.8%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.6%
  8. Body & chassis0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.1%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.2%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. 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 2020 Land Rover Defender?

In 2024, 90.0% of 2020 Land Rover Defender cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,119 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 Land Rover Defender?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2020 Land Rover Defender reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).