2002 Land Rover Defender — MOT failures & pass rate
24,326 MOT tests on the 2002 Land Rover Defender are in this dataset, and 75.5% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 25.2%, so the 2002 Defender sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.8% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,355 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.7% versus 16.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.8% in 2021 to 23.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 3,351 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.9% | 2,404 |
| 3 | Steering | 8.6% | 2,104 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.6% | 2,085 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 2,076 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 1,465 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,355 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 1,243 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,086 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 979 |
| 5 | Wipers | 907 |
| 6 | Washers | 900 |
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 | 28.3% | 6,886 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 6,635 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.8% | 6,030 |
| 4 | Steering | 19.1% | 4,638 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 3,805 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 12.8% | 3,126 |
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 | 233 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,065 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,657 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,288 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 5,578 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 7,484 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,262 | 24.5% |
| Petrol | 53 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,275 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 4,981 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 4,829 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 4,686 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 4,555 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Defender
On a 2002 Defender, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.9% 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.
- Steering (8.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 2002 Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 24,326 2002 Land Rover Defender MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Land Rover Defender?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.9%).
Does the 2002 Defender get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,326 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.