MOT fail rates by first-use year
1998 Land Rover Defender MOT fail rate and common faults
How Land Rover Defender cars first used in 1998 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2023, against all cars of the same age. From 7,165 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 25 years, tested in 2023
What stands out
- In 2023, at 25 years old, Land Rover Defender cars first used in 1998 failed 34.0% of MOTs (3,550 tests), 2.3 points below the 36.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2023, as these cars went from 24 to 25 years old, the fail rate moved from 37.3% to 34.0%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Land Rover Defender at 25 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 3.6 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 4.2).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 years | 37.3% | 3,615 | 37.8% | −0.5 pts |
| 2023 | 25 years | 34.0% | 3,550 | 36.3% | −2.3 pts |
Most common faults at 25 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Defender MOTs (first used before 2020) at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=13,088). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Rear fog lamp: not working Wear | 4.5 | 1.6 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 3.6 | 4.2 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 3.5 | 3.4 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 2.9 | 3.1 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 2.9 | 2.6 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 2.7 | 0.4 |
| Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 2.5 | 0.9 |
| Wheel bearings: has excessive play | 2.4 | 0.6 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps Wear | 2.1 | 1.1 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=13,088). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 23.2 | 14.9 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 12.2 | 14.1 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 11.4 | 4.3 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.4 | 8.6 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 7.3 | 9.1 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | 6.2 | 1.4 |
| Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 5.8 | 2.0 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 5.8 | 2.8 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 5.6 | 6.4 |
| Seat belt condition: webbing slightly damaged or frayed | 5.0 | 0.6 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=13,088). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 25 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Defender MOTs (first used before 2020) at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=13,088). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 97.3% | 36.1% | 12,719 | 39.3% | 134,804 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 25 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Defender MOTs (first used before 2020) at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=13,088). At 25 years, Land Rover Defender cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (39.4%, n=4,905) than those at 60,000 to 90,000 miles (31.5%, n=1,556). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 31.5% | 1,556 | 35.4% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 35.5% | 2,507 | 38.4% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 36.9% | 2,927 | 40.2% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 39.4% | 4,905 | 42.3% |
Car tax rules for a 1998 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 1998 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Land Rover Defender
Other Land Rover models first used in 1998
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Rover Discovery (1998) | 25 years in 2023 | 34.0% | 1,347 | 36.3% |
More on the Land Rover Defender
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 1998 Land Rover Defender cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.