MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1971

Review the list of common LAND ROVER DEFENDER failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your LAND ROVER then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:62.01%

(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1971 passes without issue)

Based on:4,556 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	350
Brake pipe excessively corroded	235
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	211
Registration plate lamp issues	193
Registration plate issues	99
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	96
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	87
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	85
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	80
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	68
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	59
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	57
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	52
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	47
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	47
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	47
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	36
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	36
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	35
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	34
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	34
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	34
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	32
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	32
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	30
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	28
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	27
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	26
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	26
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	26
Rear brake binding	26
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	25
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	25
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	25
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	24
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	24
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	24
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	24
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	24
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	24
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	23
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	22
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	22
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	21
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	21
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	21
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	20
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	20
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	20
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	18
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	18
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	18
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	18
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	17
Windscreen washer not working	17
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	16
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	16
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	15
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	15
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	15
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	15
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	14
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	14
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	14
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	14
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	14
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	14
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	13
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	13
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	13
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	12
Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration \|7.4.A2\|	12
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Front brake application uneven	12
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	12
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	12
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	12
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	12
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	12
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	12
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	11
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	11
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	11
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	11
Windscreen has damage	11
Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	10
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	10
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	10
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	10
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	10
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	10
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	9
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	9
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	9
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	9
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	9
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	9
Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	9
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	9
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	9
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	8
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	8
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	8
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	8
Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	8
Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	8
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	8
Nearside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	7
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.4.A.1\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	7
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	7
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	7
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	7
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	7
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	7
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	6
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	6
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	6
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.4.A2\|	6
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	6
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	6
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	6
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	6
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	6
Offside Front Upper Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	6
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	6
Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	6

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1971

Find us on Facebook