MOT fail rates by first-use year
2004 Land Rover Defender MOT fail rate and common faults
How Land Rover Defender cars first used in 2004 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 16,919 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 21 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 21 years old, Land Rover Defender cars first used in 2004 failed 35.3% of MOTs (4,164 tests), 6.8 points below the 42.1% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 18 to 21 years old, the fail rate moved from 35.8% to 35.3%.
- Land Rover Defender cars first used a year earlier, in 2003, failed 36.6% at the same age of 21 years (4,380 tests, in 2024).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Land Rover Defender at 21 years, is shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush, at 3.3 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 0.2).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 18 years | 35.8% | 4,290 | 43.3% | −7.4 pts |
| 2023 | 19 years | 34.8% | 4,237 | 43.2% | −8.4 pts |
| 2024 | 20 years | 34.7% | 4,228 | 42.8% | −8.1 pts |
| 2025 | 21 years | 35.3% | 4,164 | 42.1% | −6.8 pts |
Most common faults at 21 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Defender MOTs (first used before 2020) at 21 years: cars first used 2001 to 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=15,682). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Side/position light not working Wear | 3.5 | 4.9 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 3.3 | 0.2 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 3.2 | 3.9 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working Wear | 2.9 | 1.4 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 2.4 | 2.1 |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.1 | 0.5 |
| Wheel bearings: has excessive play | 2.1 | 0.5 |
| Headlight aimed too high Wear | 1.9 | 1.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=15,682). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 21.3 | 14.8 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 15.4 | 15.9 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 8.2 | 1.8 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.8 | 10.4 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | 7.2 | 0.9 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 6.5 | 10.4 |
| Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 6.3 | 1.6 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 5.8 | 2.0 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 5.4 | 8.1 |
| Seat belt condition: webbing slightly damaged or frayed | 4.8 | 0.5 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=15,682). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 21 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Defender MOTs (first used before 2020) at 21 years: cars first used 2001 to 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=15,682). 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 | 100.0% | 36.6% | 15,629 | 43.0% | 121,153 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 21 years
These figures cover all Land Rover Defender MOTs (first used before 2020) at 21 years: cars first used 2001 to 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=15,682). At 21 years, Land Rover Defender cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (38.9%, n=4,369) than those at 60,000 to 90,000 miles (33.5%, n=2,497). 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 | 33.5% | 2,497 | 40.6% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 37.3% | 4,048 | 44.7% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 38.6% | 3,584 | 46.5% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 38.9% | 4,369 | 46.6% |
Car tax rules for a 2004 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
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 2004 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 2004
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Rover Discovery (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 33.9% | 5,714 | 42.1% |
| Land Rover Freelander (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 46.1% | 3,619 | 42.1% |
| Land Rover Range Rover (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 30.9% | 2,173 | 42.1% |
More on the Land Rover Defender
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2004 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.