>

MOT History from tests of petrol 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:62.47%
(The average a petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1971 passes without issue)
Based on:1,564 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment82
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively63
Brakes imbalanced across an axle63
Registration plate lamp issues45
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|36
Rear brake binding32
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|31
Horn not working |1.6.2a|31
Registration plate issues30
Brake pipe excessively corroded30
Brake hose excessively deteriorated28
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|28
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|27
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|25
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|24
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|24
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|22
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|22
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|21
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|19
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|18
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|17
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|15
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|15
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|15
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|15
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|15
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|14
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|13
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|12
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|12
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|12
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|11
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Front brake application uneven11
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|10
Battery insecure |1.9.1|10
Steering box insecure |2.2.B.1a|10
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|10
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|10
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Offside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|9
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|9
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|8
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement8
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|8
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|8
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Nearside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|8
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|8
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|8
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|7
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|7
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|7
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|7
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort7
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|7
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|6
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|6
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|6
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|6
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|6
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released6
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|5
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|5
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|5
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|5
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|5
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|5
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|5
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|5
Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|5
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|4
Brake hose damaged4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|4
Nearside Front Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush |2.4.B.2|4
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|4
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|4
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|4
Service brake is causing the steering wheel to severely pull one way |3.7.C.2|4
Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|4
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside |3.7.C.2|4
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|4
Emissions not tested |7.0|4
Windscreen has damage4
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|4
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|4
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|4
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|4
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|4
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|4
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside |3.7.C.2|4
Offside Rear position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|3
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|3
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|3
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|3
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|3
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|3
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|3
Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Nearside Front Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Main beam `tell-tale` not working |1.7.4c|3
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|3
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|3
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|3
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive movement between a swivel joint and its housing |2.5.A.1b|3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|3
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition |7.1.4|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Nearside Passenger`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|3
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|3
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|3
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Offside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Intermediate drop arm insecure |2.2.B.1a|3
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|3
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts |3.6.B.2a|3
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|3
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|3
Nearside Front Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|3
Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|3
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|3
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn |7.2.4c|3
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|3
An item not tested |Manual|3
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|3
Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|3
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|3
Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|3
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|3
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by grease |3.5.1h|2
Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|2
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|2
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Offside Front Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|2
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|2
Nearside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Offside Front Upper Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring splayed and action impaired |2.4.B.1c|2
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|2
Nearside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|2
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|2
Nearside Front Front passenger door does not latch securely closed |6.2.B.1a|2
Brake relay lever locking device insecure |3.5.1l|2
Offside Front Vehicle structure is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|2
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|2
Nearside Front Leaf spring has excessive side play at eye |anchor| |2.4.B.4|2
Offside Front Leaf spring has excessive side play at eye |anchor| |2.4.B.4|2
Nearside Front Leaf spring has excessive side play at eye |shackle| |2.4.B.4|2
Offside Front Leaf spring has excessive side play at eye |shackle| |2.4.B.4|2
Fuel cap/sealing device missing |7.2.4a|2
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|2
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|2
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|2
Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking |3.6.A.1|2
Offside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |1.1.12 |b| |ii||2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |5.3.6 |a| |i||2
Windscreen washer control missing |8.2.1a|2
Power steering malfunctioning |2.3.3a|2
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin |2.5.A.3b|2
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure |3.1.4b|2
Nearside Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|2
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|2
Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|2
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|2
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing |7.2.4c|2
Offside Front Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush |2.4.B.2|2
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush |2.4.B.2|2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade missing |8.2.2|2
Nearside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|2
Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|2
Front Steering box insecure |2.2.B.1a|2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush |2.4.B.2|2
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|2
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|2
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis |2.4.A.3|2
Rear brake application uneven2
Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Offside Steering system has a road wheel fouling a part of the vehicle |2.2.D.2a|2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Nearside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.D.4|2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.D.4|2
Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Offside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|2
Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|2
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Brake hose has insufficient room to move2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|2
Offside Front Direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|2
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt |5.2.2a|2
Nearside Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|2

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.

Find us on Facebook

© KnowYourCar™ 2019. All rights reserved
Except where otherwise noted, content on our MOT statistics pages are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
You are free to redistribute the material in any medium or format as long as credit is given to KnowYourCar

WARNING: We have placed hidden watermarks in our data. We will take action against our data being used outside of these terms.

MOT Data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

By using our site you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy