2004 Land Rover Defender — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,530 MOT tests, the 2004 Land Rover Defender recorded a 76.1% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.3% of the time, so this is 1.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.0% of all tests — 4.7 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 1,354 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 3,704 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 2,464 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 2,339 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.0% | 2,110 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 1,706 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 1,697 |
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 | 1,354 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 1,275 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,201 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,179 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,107 |
| 6 | Wipers | 964 |
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 | 29.9% | 7,932 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.0% | 7,415 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.1% | 6,393 |
| 4 | Steering | 17.2% | 4,555 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 13.6% | 3,620 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 3,431 |
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 | 358 | 17.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,881 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,476 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 7,232 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,771 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 5,798 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 26,460 | 23.9% |
| Petrol | 60 | 20.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,459 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 5,369 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 5,271 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 5,241 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 5,190 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Defender
On a 2004 Defender, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
- Brakes (8.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2004 Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 26,530 2004 Land Rover Defender MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Land Rover Defender?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 2004 Defender get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,530 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.