2006 Land Rover Defender — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Land Rover Defender passed 76.9% of its 23,321 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 24.5% of the time, so this is 1.4pp 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 13.3% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — shock absorbers alone was recorded 1,196 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 3,104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.8% | 2,048 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 1,909 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 1,848 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 1,437 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 1,306 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 1,196 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,176 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,149 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 915 |
| 5 | Wipers | 865 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 865 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.1% | 6,791 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.4% | 6,157 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.6% | 5,280 |
| 4 | Steering | 15.0% | 3,499 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 2,805 |
| 6 | Tyres | 11.1% | 2,588 |
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 | 561 | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,968 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,852 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,214 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 4,116 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,606 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,862 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 4,675 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 4,683 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 4,570 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 4,531 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Defender
On a 2006 Defender, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 (8.2% 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 2006 Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT?
76.9% of the 23,321 2006 Land Rover Defender MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Land Rover Defender?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.8%).
Does the 2006 Defender get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,321 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.