2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 683 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and other defects. Its pass rate of 93.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.8% | 19 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 10 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.2% | 8 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 7 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 4 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.6% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 14 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 4 |
| 5 | Attachment | 3 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.1% | 96 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.2% | 63 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 27 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 23 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 268 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 353 | 7.1% |
| 60-90k | 56 | 8.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 331 | 5.7% |
| 2025 | 346 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A
Before buying a 2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 2.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (2.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Other defects (1.2% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev As pass their MOT?
93.4% of the 683 2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A?
Tyres, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.5%).
Does the 2021 Defender X-Dynamic S D Mhev A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 8.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 683 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.