Diesel Land Rover Defender: MOT pass rate
73.4% of diesel Land Rover Defenders pass the MOT first time, measured across 102,585 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 110,795.
Diesel against the other Land Rover Defender versions
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 73.4% | 102,585 |
| Petrol | 76% | 2,214 |
| All Land Rover Defender | 73.5% | 104,958 |
Why the fuel type changes the number
Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.
On the Land Rover Defender specifically, petrol is the strongest at 76%, and this diesel version sits 0.1 points below the 73.5% model average.
What it means if you are buying one
There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.
Mileage is part of the answer
The average diesel Land Rover Defender had covered 110,795 miles at test, against 95,287 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.
Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Land Rover Defender page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.
Most common MOT failures on a diesel Land Rover Defender
- A shock absorber bush excessively worn, 4.6% of tests (23.74x the national rate for this defect)
- Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, 2.2% of tests (9.47x the national rate for this defect)
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.2% of tests (7.05x the national rate for this defect)
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.3% of tests (5.32x the national rate for this defect)
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.8% of tests (3.55x the national rate for this defect)
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.2% of tests (3.33x the national rate for this defect)
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.8% of tests (2.98x the national rate for this defect)
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 3.4% of tests (2.6x the national rate for this defect)
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 3.5% of tests (2.06x the national rate for this defect)
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.5% of tests (1.93x the national rate for this defect)
From 103,410 DVSA-tracked diesel Land Rover Defender tests, 2024, split out from the Land Rover Defender's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.13% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.
Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Land Rover Defender
Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.
- A seat belt or flexible stalk damaged, 3.4% of tests (28.31x the national rate for this defect)
- A shock absorber bush excessively worn, 10.6% of tests (22.26x the national rate for this defect), also fails
- A seat belt webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened, 7.8% of tests (20.28x the national rate for this defect)
- A wheel bearing with excessive play, 9.4% of tests (14.47x the national rate for this defect)
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 6.1% of tests (4.9x the national rate for this defect)
- Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 24.6% of tests (4.43x the national rate for this defect)
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 22.1% of tests (3.57x the national rate for this defect), also fails
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.6% of tests (3.43x the national rate for this defect), also fails
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 8% of tests (1.69x the national rate for this defect)
- Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.5% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
From 103,410 DVSA-tracked diesel Land Rover Defender tests, 2024.