2001 Land Rover Defender — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,713 MOT tests, the 2001 Land Rover Defender recorded a 74.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests against 10.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — chassis condition alone was recorded 1,440 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.7% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.7% in 2021 to 24.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 3,095 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 2,058 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 2,030 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.1% | 1,790 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.1% | 1,589 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 1,291 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 1,440 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,181 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,076 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 993 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 886 |
| 6 | Washers | 830 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 27.3% | 5,388 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.9% | 5,109 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 4,910 |
| 4 | Steering | 19.6% | 3,858 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 3,295 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 13.7% | 2,704 |
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 | 244 | 17.6% |
| 30-60k | 956 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,781 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,969 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 4,858 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 5,886 | 27.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 19,613 | 25.8% |
| Petrol | 83 | 22.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,308 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 4,064 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 3,906 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 3,760 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 3,675 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Defender
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2001 Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 19,713 2001 Land Rover Defender MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Land Rover Defender?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.4%).
Does the 2001 Defender get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 0-30k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,713 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.