2010 Land Rover Defender — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,354 MOT tests, the 2010 Land Rover Defender recorded a 79.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (20.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests against 7.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 1,438 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.4% versus 11.6%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 3,298 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.9% | 1,933 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.9% | 1,678 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.4% | 1,561 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 1,257 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 867 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,438 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 1,420 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,382 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 940 |
| 5 | Wipers | 855 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 842 |
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 | 27.6% | 6,725 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.7% | 5,286 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 15.1% | 3,668 |
| 4 | Steering | 12.5% | 3,044 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.2% | 2,478 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 9.9% | 2,417 |
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 | 1,229 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 5,834 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 8,289 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 5,619 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,199 | 25.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,174 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,306 | 20.9% |
| Petrol | 47 | 19.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,198 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 4,872 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 4,890 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 4,722 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 4,672 | 21.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Defender
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.9% 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.
- Suspension (6.9% 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.
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 2010 Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 24,354 2010 Land Rover Defender MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Land Rover Defender?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by brakes (7.9%).
Does the 2010 Defender get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,354 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.