2011 Land Rover Defender — MOT failures & pass rate
24,127 MOT tests on the 2011 Land Rover Defender are in this dataset, and 80.2% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 19.3%, so the 2011 Defender sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.8% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,374 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.8% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 3,332 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 1,796 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 1,549 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.5% | 1,339 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 1,187 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 593 |
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 | 1,374 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 1,346 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,335 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 981 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 821 |
| 6 | Wipers | 775 |
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 | 26.6% | 6,407 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.5% | 4,696 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.8% | 3,331 |
| 4 | Steering | 11.4% | 2,756 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.8% | 2,366 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 9.2% | 2,230 |
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 | 1,480 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 6,874 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 7,629 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,780 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,089 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,271 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,051 | 19.8% |
| Petrol | 73 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,071 | 18.9% |
| 2022 | 4,805 | 19.4% |
| 2023 | 4,775 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 4,796 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 4,680 | 20.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Defender
On a 2011 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.
- Brakes (7.4% 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 (6.4% 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.
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 2011 Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 24,127 2011 Land Rover Defender MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Land Rover Defender?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by brakes (7.4%).
Does the 2011 Defender get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,127 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.