Common problems by part
Land Rover Defender exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 22,687 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.6 in 100 MOT tests of the Land Rover Defender failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 0.5 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), 133 MOT tests with a fail
- When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 5 years and at every older age seen
- Most common fail: Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction, 0.4 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.6 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
An exhaust, emissions and leaks fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.
Land Rover Defender exhaust, emissions and leaks fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22,687 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| 4 | 12,866 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| 5 | 4,223 | 1.9 | 1.0 |
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 exhaust, emissions and leaks at 3 years
Fails
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction: 0.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.2. Diagnose engine warning light: estimated £39–£78 (0.5–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive: 0.2 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.2. Oil leak, but not excessive MOT advisory
Diagnose engine warning light cost
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Land Rover Defender? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- 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
Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive.
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 brakes problems
- Land Rover Defender lights and electrics 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
Exhaust, emissions and leaks on rival models
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 0.4 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for the Land Rover Defender (36,398 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 0.9 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for the Land Rover Defender (24,009 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Discovery exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 0.4 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for the Land Rover Defender (21,840 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Land Rover Defender have more exhaust, emissions and leaks problems than other cars?
0.6 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.5 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 exhaust, emissions and leaks problems?
0.6 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 22,687 MOT tests).
What is the most common Land Rover Defender exhaust, emissions and leaks fail?
0.4 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction (88 MOT tests with it).
At what age do Land Rover Defender exhaust, emissions and leaks fails start?
5 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 4,223 MOT tests.
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