Common problems by part
Land Rover Defender suspension problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 22,687 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Land Rover Defender failed on suspension, against 0.6 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), 45 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 3 ages from 3 to 5 years, 39,776 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Shock absorber leaking, 0.1 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A suspension fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
Land Rover Defender suspension fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22,687 | 0.2 | 0.6 |
| 4 | 12,866 | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| 5 | 4,223 | 0.4 | 1.6 |
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 suspension at 3 years
Fails
- Shock absorber leaking: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.2. Replace shock absorbers: estimated £122–£484 (0.8–3 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £60–£250) Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement: 0.3 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.4. Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement MOT advisory
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil: 0.1 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.0. Shock absorber has light misting of oil MOT advisory
Replace suspension arm or bush 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
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement.
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 brakes 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
Suspension on rival models
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport suspension problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.2 for the Land Rover Defender (36,398 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar suspension problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.2 for the Land Rover Defender (24,009 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Discovery suspension problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.2 for the Land Rover Defender (21,840 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Land Rover Defender have more suspension problems than other cars?
0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 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 suspension problems?
0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 22,687 MOT tests).
What is the most common Land Rover Defender suspension fail?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Shock absorber leaking (21 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