Common problems by part
Land Rover Defender brakes problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 22,687 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.7 in 100 MOT tests of the Land Rover Defender failed on brakes, against 1.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 22,687 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 160 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 3 ages from 3 to 5 years, 39,776 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Brake pads under 1.5 mm, 0.3 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.7 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 1.7 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A brakes fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated dangerous by DVSA.
What to check
Look through the wheels at the discs for a deep lip or heavy scoring, and check the brake pipes under the car for flaky rust. On the drive the car should stop straight with no pull or judder.
Land Rover Defender brakes fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22,687 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
| 4 | 12,866 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| 5 | 4,223 | 1.7 | 2.8 |
All first-use years of the Land Rover Defender pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the brakes at 3 years
Fails
- Brake pads under 1.5 mm: 0.3 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.0. Replace brake pads: estimated £72–£174 (0.6–1.2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £25–£80) Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick MOT fail
- Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Replace brake discs and pads: estimated £148–£376 (1–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £70–£220) Service brake excessively fluctuating MOT fail
- Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Replace brake pads: estimated £72–£174 (0.6–1.2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £25–£80) Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Brake pads: wearing thin: 3.8 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 4.8. Brake pad(s) wearing thin MOT advisory
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened: 3.4 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 3.9. Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened MOT advisory
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively: 0.4 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.1. Brake disc worn, but not excessively MOT advisory
- Service brake performance: fluctuating, but not excessively: 0.2 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.2. Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively MOT advisory
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Land Rover Defender? Check that exact car before the viewing.
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Look through the wheels at the discs for a deep lip or heavy scoring, and check the brake pipes under the car for flaky rust. On the drive the car should stop straight with no pull or judder.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Brake pads: wearing thin.
Check one Land Rover Defender, not the average
The figures here describe Land Rover Defender cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Land Rover Defender's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Land Rover Defender problems
- Land Rover Defender suspension problems
- Land Rover Defender lights and electrics problems
- Land Rover Defender exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Land Rover Defender seat belts and airbags problems
- Land Rover Defender windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Land Rover Defender tyres problems
- Land Rover Defender road wheels problems
Brakes on rival models
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport brakes problems: 1.5 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.7 for the Land Rover Defender (36,398 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar brakes problems: 1.5 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.7 for the Land Rover Defender (24,009 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Discovery brakes problems: 1.4 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.7 for the Land Rover Defender (21,840 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Land Rover Defender have more brakes problems than other cars?
0.7 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 1.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 22,687 MOT tests).
How common are Land Rover Defender brakes problems?
0.7 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on brakes, against 1.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 22,687 MOT tests).
What is the most common Land Rover Defender brakes fail?
0.3 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Brake pads under 1.5 mm (75 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 39,776 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare